Bribie Kiwi Ladies celebrate Waitangi Day

By Alistair Gray

The Kiwi accents were purring and for a brief moment I thought I was back in Wellington, New Zealand. It was February 6, Waitangi Day, for the uninitiated - New Zealand Day. An excuse for Bribie Kiwis to get together sharing stories, laughter and memories galore as everyone sat around chatting at Pirate Park, Sylvan Beach.

It was organised by the Bribie Kiwi Ladies Group, one of the oldest groups on the Island. In 1998 Lynne Brand popped an ad in the paper and the group’s first meeting was held at the Sylvan Beach Hotel. Shortly after they moved to the RSL so they could partake in coffee and cake when getting together.

With monthly coffee and cake mornings, the group welcomes new Kiwis to the Island and is an excellent way for Kiwi ladies to connect with each other, the local community and to share memories of growing up in New Zealand.

The group also organise excursions for the older ladies, taking them on trips to Kilcoy, Redcliffe and North Lakes for shopping, lunch and the occasional show.

Husbands join the ladies for the occasional dinner meetings.

Today the group meets at the Bongaree Bowls Club on the third Wednesday of each month with the next meeting on April 20. For anyone looking to join the group, please contact group coordinator Sylvia Klemick on 0450 420 918.