An appeal by the Warkworth Lions Club has helped ensure that sweet music is again being made in the Cook Islands. The appeal, for second-hand brass instruments, resulted in almost $7000 worth of instruments being donated. They were handed over to the Cook Islands Boys Brigade at a special ceremony last month. The Lions launched the appeal after being contacted by Warkworth resident Dave Parker, who spends the majority of his time in the islands promoting tourism and youth involvement. Many of the bands in the islands were using old instruments that had been donated in 2006, and badly needed newer ones. Eighteen packages containing side drums, base drums, brass instruments, mouthpieces, drum slings, sticks, uniforms and music were donated by people from both Warkworth and Christchurch. Dave says the brigade was “absolutely thrilled and excited” to open the packages and were soon playing and enjoying their gifts. The bands on Rarotonga play on almost every ceremonial occasion. Many of the instruments will be sent to other bands in the outer islands of Mauke, Atiu and Manihiki, where they are also required to play for civic and ceremonial occasions. "It was a mammoth task co-ordinating the consignment and involved a number of individuals and businesses who either gave in kind or made donations towards the costs," says Dave. One donation of $500 was sent from a former Warkworth Boys Brigade parent who now lives on Norfolk Island. The brigade has thanked all those involved, including the Christchurch South Rotary Club, KBB Music shop, Stedfast Assoc of NZ, Peter Baker transport, Freight On Board NZ, the Tiare Moana shipping and the Lions Club of Warkworth. It has also thanked Mahurangi Matters for publicising the appeal.
Posted on: Mon, 07 Oct 2013 08:33:13 +0000
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