Mataura residents explored their dreams on a November Saturday last year (2008) at a powerful one-day community workshop. Led by international community development facilitator, Rev. Bliss Browne, the meeting drew wide participation and demonstrated a unity of vision and depth of local resources that surprised and encouraged many.

Seventy residents and agency staff explored their vision of what was important, what areas needed to be worked on, how to find allies and begin acting on those needs. Mrs Browne described her background as banker, priest, mother, and civic activist and referred to her experience with Imagine Chicago, a project that had turned around a city of 7.5m people where many young people had opted out.

Neighbourhoods are all about residents. They also include a range of organisations, including schools.  As part of the celebration of Neighbours Day 2011, Mataura School’s senior class (Year 6) wrote an invitation to households neighbouring the school inviting them to celebrate Neighbours Day at a morning tea at the school. The children hand delivered the invitations and prepared scones and other baking to host their neighbours in the community room at the school.

The morning tea was the idea of Mataura School family coordinator Robyn Krenz, who noticed the day was being celebrated throughout New Zealand.  And it was a resounding success, with school Principal Susan Dennison saying that she could not believe how many people turned up.

August 2010 highlights for the Mataura Taskforce:

Inaugural MATAURA SWEDEFEST a winner

"...The inaugural "Swedefest", by the feedback we received, was enjoyed by all who attended.The day was brilliantly fine as well, which added to the success.We would especially like to acknowledge the Champions, who attended...

Such has been the feedback that we have already invited Astar and Gerry Forde to come back next year and they were more than happy to accept, so put the 2ND JULY 2011 in your diary for next year and we would love to see more people involved. Community involvement is what it is all about. "

DIA Community Development Scheme funding approved

"The Taskforce have also been advised that funding has been granted from the Department of internal Affairs for a Community development person for Mataura which is really good news. This is a full time position for three years... ideally we would like a local person who has contact with the local community...

Download the August 2010 Mataura Messenger for more details.