On 17 October we staged a very successful Greats and Grans afternoon tea at Takutai O Te Tītī Marae with entertainment by the Greats and Grans ukulele team.
Given that the event was cancelled last year due to inclement weather, we were delighted that 42 people came along including a good number from the Longwood Lifestyle Village and the Senior Citizens for Riverton, Colac Bay and surrounding areas.
Muriel and Anne helped me prepare the sandwiches, cream cakes and other goodies; and Anne and I started to set the tables. Lynley helped us complete the task. Stewart arrived and did the mihi whakatau for our guests and Rangimarie assisted by serving tea and coffee to us all.
Our Ukulele Grans with Frances Maheno leading the way were fabulous and they soon had the crowd singing along with them. It was such a fantastic time and everybody had so much fun. Even the weather was perfect.
There was much reminiscing about our marae having once been the school that many at the hui had attended. My whānau have been in the rohe for generations, so many people there knew me.
In 2014 we may think about holding the event on a weekend, so those who work, and who missed out this time, can come along. A big thank you to all my assistants. Arohanui nā Shona Fordyce.
Shona Fordyce having a laugh with Audrey Roberts.
The ukulele ladies having a sing along.