Kia ora koutou Playcentre whānau

Vandalism at Outram Playcentre 

I was on leave and it was getting late on the Friday before Anzac Day weekend. As I flicked through my newsfeeds to see what was happening in the world, I saw a headline that caught my attention: “Trashed Playcentre relying on fundraiser to recover”. Clicking on the link, I read with horror about the vandalism at Outram Playcentre. I read that “Destroyed equipment included a beloved wooden airplane which had been part of the school for over a decade” and “Playground equipment, toys, and a garden built by children are some casualties of “senseless vandalism” at a rural Playcentre.

I then read that “Julie Bathgate​, centre facilitator, said the community was devastated. “It’s just senseless vandalism. We could understand it if maybe we had valuables… we didn’t have anything of high value,” she said.” At this point I was furious. I mean it’s not as if it’s hard enough right now….Covid restrictions, vaccine mandates, rampant inflation and limited fundraising to name but a few of the issues impacting on our centres all over the motu and then this.

There is no doubt that I was thinking of a range of words to describe the people that had done this. What on earth would possess anyone to think that vandalising a Playcentre that has been at the heart of the local community for 50 years is a good thing to do? I genuinely have no idea. Even doing the best I could to apply our Generosity of Spirit value didn’t seem to help me at that point. I did all the usual things that CEOs do when they become aware of a situation like this….make contact with the local centre to see how they are and what support I might be able to give them, contact Melissa as the Regional Manager and if she needs anything to manage the local response and let the Co-President’s know what had happened. But I was still furious!

I re-read the article again, probably more to stoke my anger further in all honesty and then read “the vandalism happened between Sunday and Thursday. On Friday, parents began the cleanup.” That’s when it hit me, “On Friday, parents began the clean-up.” What a fabulous response, it’s happened, it’s terrible, it’s disheartening but let’s begin the clean up. I am full of admiration for all the parents at Outram for that response. They could quite reasonably have spent many days ranting and raving about what had happened, but they got on and began the clean up. They could have bemoaned what had happened to them and legitimately asked “Why us?”, but they got on and began the clean up. They could have quite understandably asked “What’s the point?” but they got on and began the clean up. As I let those words sink in, I reflected on our values of Generosity of Spirit, Endeavour and Kaitiakitanga. The parents at Outram are living those values when it matters. Not just when the sun is shining and all is rosy in the garden but when the raining is pouring down and wind blasting it sideways (yes, I live in Wellington!).

They did not judge others by their own standards but got on and began the clean up, they gave of their best effort and got on and began the clean up and they took seriously their guardianship of our Kaupapa and got on and began the clean up. What an inspiration.

Hon. Tracey Martin Presentation

On the evening of the 11th April, The Honourable Tracey Martin gave her presentation entitled “From the Outside Looking In.”. During this presentation, she laid out what she saw with a number of substantial issues with our organisation. It was stark. It was confronting. It was very challenging. From the feedback I have received, most people also felt that it was honest, accurate and needed to be said. The Board received this presentation in January this year and went through the same emotions. They could easily have tried to appoint blame. The could easily have thrown up their hands in horror and walked away but instead they have “begun the clean up”. Work on many of Tracey’s recommendations has started and more is underway. The Board has shared Tracey’s presentation with the whole organisation and I will be doing a follow up presentation to centres and staff on the 2nd and 3rd May.

In contrast to Outram, the Amalgamation was not an act of vandalism. As the Attorney General’s report states, it was a necessary step on the Playcentre journey that started in 1941. That journey is not complete yet but it will take us to our centenary and beyond as we step forward into it. It will be our values that will take us through this journey. Rather than my initial anger at the news of the vandalism, it will be our values of Generosity of Spirit, Endeavour and Kaitiakitanga that will sustain us on that journey and enable us to reach our goal together.

Support from the community for Outram Playcentre

I had finished writing this but subsequently received the following email from Outram, which I wanted to share firstly as a real encouragement and secondly because it embodied everything I have said above.

Hi David,

Thank you very much for your message of support. Our members were all pleased to read it! You are welcome to visit Outram Playcentre anytime, we would all be glad to meet you and show our centre. 

We have been overwhelmed by support from the community. A local held a Bingo night last night with all proceeds going to Outram Playcentre. All prizes were donated. They had an excellent turn out and raised $1,800. We cook the food at the local rugby club during home games as a fundraiser. At the game on Saturday, we raised $290 just from the tip jar. One of our members neighbours is rebuilding the wooden plane for us. It is about 20 years old and a sentimental piece of equipment for our past families. We have been gifted a site at the Wingatui Artisan Market to run a sausage sizzle and raffles, with all supplies gifted by local people and business. Chan’s Cards make handmade cards in Dunedin, and is donating all profits from Mothers Day cards this year. Our givealittle page has hit $6000. Our inboxes have overflowed with messages offering time or donated items or services. We are feeling well supported, and valuable by our community.

I hope this is as encouraging for you as it has been for us! Playcentres and their place in the community is very special.

Now doesn’t that say it all!

David Moger

Chief Executive