Community Connection in Raetihi

When St Mary’s Raetihi held a working bee recently, they took the opportunity to ask children from Ohakune Primary School to lend a hand.

The school children are participating in the William Pike Challenge Award and have named themselves ‘the Pikelets’ after the person who established the award.

William Pike suffered the loss of his leg after being trapped under a rock following an eruption on Mt Ruapehu. Inspired to live life to the full, the young teacher went on to write a book for children, Every Day is a Good Day, and set up the William Pike Challenge Award for years 7 and 8 children.

To gain the Award, the children have a year to complete five outdoor team adventures, spend 20 hours on a passion project of their choosing, and give 20 hours of community service. St Mary’s has been both grateful and happy to oblige by offering a service opportunity for a second year.

The working bee started with participants tidying the lawns and gardens from the rear of the property, then scrubbing the paths, hauling trimmed branches, wheeling away the weeds, cutting out holly, removing cobwebs from the church and planting flax. The Pikelets worked their way to Seddon St, finishing by picking up litter along Seddon Street.

St Mary’s wants to convey its thanks to the teachers involved, the wonderful parents who came along and the Pikelets for helping us care for the grounds so that others can enjoy them too.

The Ruapehu Parish is a small community who greatly value cheerful 11-year-olds who turn up with their parents to help at working bees. The Parish hopes they enjoyed our peaceful setting, working together and as much warm milo and biscuits as they needed in our warm hall.

Ruapehu Parish offers St Mary’s Vicarage Retreat for holiday rental accommodation, also popular for retreats. Its War Memorial Hall is also available for accommodation by request (ruapehuparish@xtra.co.nz).