Past News & Events

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7 December 2010: Ys up and consider ways of reducing the harm caused to our young people with Dr. Albert Makary

Date: Tuesday 14th December 2010
Time: 7pm
Venue: Illott Theatre, Wellington Town Hall, Wakefield Street

The drinking culture in New Zealand has a direct link to family violence, sexual health and self esteem. Obstetrician Dr. Albert Makary, as featured on TVNZ’s ‘Sunday’ wants New Zealand to take a sober look at intoxicated youth.

RSVP by 12noon Monday 13 December to lepetit@tra.org.nz or phone 04 472 3648, 021 2450222.

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22 November 2010: Wise up to dating violence with workshops in Porirua and Wellington

Lesley Elliott, mother of Sophie Elliott, who was tragically and brutally murdered by her ex-boyfriend will be coming to Porirua and Wellington at the end of this week for two public workshops for Wellington young women, their mothers and caregivers to share the signs of dating violence.

YWCA President Vanisa Dhiru is astounded by the the 48% of couples at age 21 have reported being physically abused by their partner (Moffitt and Caspi).  “That’s nearly half of young couples experiencing violence in a relationship – surely we need to inform caregivers and young women and men of the signs before it happens.”

Youth dating relationships have a higher level of emotional and physical violence than any other age group.  Young people aged 15-24 are the age group most at risk of physical, psychological and sexual victimisation, (New Zealand National Crime Survey, 2006).

Elliott launched the Sophie Elliott Foundation earlier this year – aiming to cause a profound shift in New Zealand’s attitude towards relationship violence – one that has the next generation recognise and reject all signs of abuse, power and control. Sophie and her partner had dated for just five months, and her life ended with violence.

Lesley will share with the public the signs of power and control in relationships, and what to look for.  Dhiru suggests, “Women especially will not want to miss out on Lesley’s ‘Ys Up’ session, either for yourself, for your daughters, your granddaughters, friends or other family.  Together we need to support young women to develop respectful relationships that don’t involve any forms of violence.”

The two workshops are supported by the YWCA of Greater Wellington and Te Roopu Awhina ki Porirua during the 16 Days of Activism against Violence.

Porirua – Friday 26 November, 6pm at Porirua Community Centre, 16 Hagley Street, Porirua.

Wellington – Saturday 27 November, 5.30pm at NZ Portrait Gallery, Shed 11, Wellington Waterfront.

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22 October 2010: Made in Dagenham, YWCA movie fundraiser

20 October 2010: YWCA book, ‘Our Secretary in China’ on sale now!

Last night, Wednesday 20 October, the Honorable Pansy Wong, Minister of Women’s Affairs and Minister for Ethnic Affairs launched the book ‘Our Secretary in China: from 1930-1945, The Story of Agnes M Moncrieff, YWCA of New Zealand International Secretary’.

Letters written by Agnes Moncrieff (also known as Nessie) to her mother, a friend and the YWCA of New Zealand have been compiled by Barbara Francis, a good friend of Agnes.  Our Secretary in China creates a picture of the life of Agnes when she was a YWCA International Secretary in China from 1930 -1945.  For all of those 15 years, her salary was paid by YWCA associations in New Zealand.

To purchase your copy, fill in the YWCA Book order form and return to the YWCA today!  Paperback book price: $35.00 plus $5 postage and handling.

Published by YWCA of Greater Wellington.

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13 October 2010: Book launch announced for 20 October at Parliament

This week members and guests will be receiving an invitation by post to attend the book launch of Our Secretary in China, a book published by the YWCA of Greater Wellington.

Letters written by Agnes Moncrieff (also known as Nessie) to her mother, a friend and the YWCA of New Zealand have been compiled by Barbara Francis, a good friend of Agnes. Our Secretary in China creates a picture of the life of Agnes when she was a YWCA International Secretary in China from 1930 -1945.  For all of those 15 years, her salary was paid by YWCA associations in New Zealand.

Book launch details:
Date: Wednesday 20 October 2010
Time: 5.30pm – 7.30pm
Venue: West Foyer, Parliament Buildings, Wellington

It is essential to RSVP to this event by Friday 15 October, 5pm to Vanisa Dhiru, President, YWCA of Greater Wellington by phone/text to 021 550497 or by email to enquiries@wgtnywca.org.nz

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24 September 2010: Y’s Up about Budgeting

The YWCA of Greater Wellington is pleased to announce the second free workshop in our Ys Up Series.

In partnership with Agape Budgeting, we will be offering a short, informative evening workshop.

When: Monday 4th October from 6pm – 7.30pm
Where: Wellington City Council Committee Room 1, WCC, 101 Wakefield Street, Wellington

We will be covering important information about how to plan your finances, including:

• The principles of budgeting.
• Why and how we should manage our money.
• How to create a budget.
• The costs of owning and maintaining a car.
• Where to find support.

Managing your money is one of the most important things to know about. If you want to own a home, support your family, own and maintain a car or simply have a good time, there are some simple steps you can take to maintain a great life.

It is essential that you RSVP to enquiries@wgtnywca.org.nz by Friday 1^st October 2010

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31 August 2010: Suffrage celebrations

The YWCA of Greater Wellington board and staff invite you to our annual Suffrage leadership celebration.

Guest speakers include Councillor Celia Wade-Brown of the Wellington City Council and Ana Popovich of Wellington East Girls’ College, a current mentee on our Discover™ leadership and mentoring programme. Kristy-Lee Tanuvsa-Lui will also perform a musical item for the celebration – make sure you don’t miss out and register now!

Date: Friday 17th September 2010
Time: 7am to 8.30am
Venue: Ibis Wellington, 153 Featherston Street, Wellington
Prices: $35.00 per seat to be paid by direct credit, cheque, on invoice.
Register by: Tuesday 14 September, 5pm.

A cooked buffet breakfast including tea, coffee and orange juice will be available for guests from 7am.  Please book your seats using the 2010 YWCA Suffrage Registration form and send to enquiries@wgtnywca.org.nz.  You will be invoiced when you register and charged regardless of attendance on the day.  Cancellations will be accepted, with a full refund, up until 5pm, Tuesday 14 September 2010.
Please return your registration form before Friday 10 September 2010, 5pm for catering purposes.

We are accepting donations for this fundraising event if you are unable to attend.

2010 YWCA Suffrage Registration form

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27 August 2010: Discover™ mentors needed now!

We are on the hunt for women in the Wellington region to be a mentor for Year 12-13 students on the Discover™ programme in 2011.

The Discover™ programme helps build confident young women who have the skills to realise their own potential, as well as inspiring and influencing others around them.

Young women are mentored by women from the local community.  Mentors offer practical assistance and actively encourage young women to broaden their horizons, embrace new challenges, set and achieve goals.  Mentors undergo a full day of professional training (in the weekend) and will have support from the YWCA during the length of the programme.

During Discover™, young women complete a series of workshops which includes skill development in leadership, identity, goal setting, communications and other life skills.

Activity days are planned for mentors and young women over the course of the programme.

Selection and interviewing underway for mentors.  If you are interested, fill in the application form and return to Lili Schmidt-Uili now.

2010 YWCA Discover Mentor application form

For more information, read our 2010 YWCA Discover Mentor info sheet.

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12th August 2010: Where there’s a Will there’s a Way

The YWCA of Greater Wellington is launching a Ys Up Series – a series of short workshops that are low-cost or free aimed at helping women Wise Up and improve their knowledge.

The first workshop we will be hosting is Where there’s a Will there’s a Way.

In partnership with the Wellington Community Law Centre, we are offering a free evening workshop covering important information about what happens to your assets if something happens to you.  Some questions that will be answered…

• Should you have a will?
• What happens if you don’t have a will?
• What is a living will?
• How do I contest a will?
• What is Enduring Power of Attorney?

Passing away isn’t something that people like to think about, but as you get older it is reassuring to know that the ones you love are going to be looked after.

• Date: Monday 30^th August
• Time: 6pm – 7.30pm
• Venue: Wellington City Library, Level 2, New Zealand Reference Section, 65 Victoria Street, Wellington. The event will be signposted within the library.
• Cost: Free!

It is essential that you RSVP to enquiries@wgtnywca.org.nz by Friday 27^th August or call 3850505.

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Wed 11 Aug 2010: International Youth Day - Lower membership fees for YWCA Greater Wellington

This year, the YWCA of Greater Wellington is celebrating International Year of Youth and making their organisation more accessible for young women to join.

YWCA of Greater Wellington’s Executive Director Makere Derbyshire says, “The YWCA here in Wellington is maybe one of the only organisations that has reduced its membership fee in this day and age, making it more accessible for women to be a part of the YWCA movement locally.”

Previous annual member fees for the YWCA in Wellington was $35 for unwaged and $50 for waged women.  Now, students and unwaged women can become members for just $10, and waged women for $25.

Derbyshire encourages more women to get involved in the movement. “If you have had a connection with the YWCA in either Hutt Valley or Wellington Central – come back and join us.” says Derbyshire.

“If you are keen to volunteer we have mentoring opportunities with our Discover™ programme. Even if you have had no background with the Y, but you want to learn about the work we do, become a member to get involved.”

YWCA Membership Officer Claire Medcalf says, “We are keen to involve more young women at the YWCA  through member events and courses.  This month we are starting up the new Y’s Up series, for any woman to ‘wise-up’ about topics they want to know more about, including car maintenance, writing a will, cycle safely in Wellington and more.  Every month until the end of the year, we will be giving women the chance to learn or try something new”.

The YWCA in Wellington has been recognised for over 100 years for tailoring courses for the varying needs of women over the years, including the Savings Club, introduced in 1914 to encourage low-waged young women to save weekly; the Hygiene for Girls lecture series, forerunner to sex education in the 1900s; and the Cosmopolitan Club, in 1945, which provided support and companionship for new immigrant women.

Medcalf explains, “We want to know what women today, especially young women, need us to offer so we can help women with things they really want to know, try or learn about.”

To register for updates on the Y’s Up series or become a member of the YWCA of Greater Wellington, contact Claire Medcalf on 04 385 0505 or email enquiries@wgtnywca.org.nz. For more information, go to www.wgtnywca.org.nz

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27 July 2010: Maori Language Week - YWCA Greater Wellington seeking Māori women’s groups to fund
This year, the YWCA of Greater Wellington celebrates 20 years of supporting local Māori women’s projects and programmes through their grant programme, the Māori Women’s Transfer Fund.  For Māori Language Week, they are calling for early applications for Māori women’s projects in the region.

YWCA of Greater Wellington’s Executive Director Makere Derbyshire says, “The YWCA’s Fund, available only to Māori wahine in Te Whanganui-ā-Tara (Wellington), was established 20 years ago with donations from individuals and organisations and is kept solely to assist Māori women’s projects.”

‘Whare Tukutuku’ a group of Māori tukutuku weavers received funding from the May 2010 round, towards art work framing for an exhibition which will be held at the Iwi Art Gallery on Tory Street, Wellington during the month of August.

Previously the Fund has supported recording waiata (songs) in English and Māori for Ngati Kahungunu women and their whanau. The waiata have been recorded onto mp3 files and can be played when practicing on iPods.

Derbyshire wants to see more applications for the Fund. “We want to encourage more wahine to apply for the Fund, especially for projects that could involve promoting or protecting the Māori language.” says Derbyshire.

“We have a small team of Māori volunteers who make the funding decisions, and the YWCA has, for 20 years, provided the resource to administer the fund at no cost.  That means every cent donated to the Fund is given back to local wahine (Māori women).”

YWCA of Greater Wellington President, Vanisa Dhiru says, “The YWCA has administered 85 grants totalling over $50,000 over 20 years. That’s many gifts from Wellington women who have contributed to the Fund over 20 years. It’s important that the YWCA ensures more grants are given to Māori women projects in Wellington.”

“We want more Māori women to apply to the Fund, which has two rounds per year in May and October. The YWCA wants to help more Māori women’s projects, including anything that educates or protects the Māori language.”

Applications to the YWCA’s Māori Women’s Transfer Fund should be for amounts between $200 and $500.  The total funding pool allocated across all applications is around $1,500 per year.

YWCA Māori Women’s Transfer Fund information

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26 July 2010: Recruiting for two more Encore trainers for Porirua and Wellington Central

We are looking for two exceptional women to help us run the YWCA Encore programme in the Porirua and Wellington regions.

Encore is a free 8 week exercise programme for women who have had breast cancer surgery.

We are on the search for two new co-ordinators to join Claire Laurenson (our current Encore co-ordinator) to deliver Encore in our region.  If you know anyone who may fit the bill, contact Executive Director, Makere Derbyshire, for more information.

YWCA Encore programme

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26 July 2010: Board member recruitment drive

We are beginning the search for women that fit our values and are excited with the new strategic direction of the YWCA in Wellington to come on board!

Expressions of interest are open to fill two vacancies on the board of our YWCA.  Candidates will be expected to fill in a board application form and have informal interviews with current board members.

If you have governance experience and a background in law, HR or not-for-profit management, please get in contact with Vanisa Dhiru, President by email at vanisa.dhiru “@” gmail.com.

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23 July 2010: Community focus for Discover™

Last month we set the scene for our Discover™ programme, sharing volunteers in our community with the girls at a workshop held last weekend.  Volunteers from Dress for Success, Trade Aid and Habitat for Humanity shared the value of volunteering with the young women who are inspired to begin their YWCA Community Project for the year.

The Community Project is a key activity for the Discover™ participants – allowing them to practice their leadership skills in different ways, for a community project in either advocacy or fundraising for an organisation of their choice.

Look out for the public presentation on how young women help in the region on 18 August, 6pm – invites coming soon…

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7 July 2010: Letter to the Editor, The Wellingtonian

In response to: ‘Black Mark for Wain’, The Wellingtonian, 1 July 2010

It is a shame the lead story of our local newspaper had on 1 July 2010 a disparaging article on one of our young women leaders.  Cnr Hayley Wain is a positive role model for young women and women’s leadership in Wellington.  She is an inspiration to all young people in our region who have an interest in local government.

We should commend Hayley Wain for being courageous, and rising to the challenge to help her city. She works for the people of her electorate, and we should support her grass-roots approach to leadership. Why criticise when we can celebrate young people that take on the challenge to make decisions for the future of our city?

Hayley is an honest young woman that many look up to. Leaders do not need to be in the limelight all the time.  You don’t need to see them to know they are working for the community.

A staff member from the YWCA was asked to take part in the ‘panel’ for this article, because we understand the reporter needed a point of view from a ‘Pacific’ person.  Our staff member told Jim Chipp she hadn’t met Hayley and did not know if she was accessible or not.  The article stated that ‘Not one panel member rated Ms Wain positively on any measure’.  We believe this comment is a clear exaggeration of the comment made by our staff member.

We hope the paper makes an effort to ask the right people for their opinions in the future. We believe each panellist should have been given a briefing on the article beforehand so that they all knew what they are commenting on.  This would have given truth to the situation.

Hayley Wain has supported the YWCA and other youth organisations from afar throughout our region.  Wouldn’t an article on these activities have made better reading?  We hope that young women like Hayley continue to step up into high profile roles and are not discouraged by articles like this.

Makere Derbyshire
Executive Director, YWCA of Greater Wellington

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6 July 2010 NZ Leadership Week: YWCA young leaders recruited by Sarah-Jane Blake

Sarah-Jane Blake (back row, middle) with Wellington East Girls College students and YWCA’s Executive Director Makere Derbyshire and Discover Leader™ Lili Schimdt-Uili (front row, far left and far right)

Daughter of leadership legend Sir Peter Blake, spoke to a large group of young women at Wellington East Girls College (WEGC) last week for New Zealand Leadership Week.

Sarah-Jane was assisting to recruit WEGC students for the YWCA’s Discover™ mentoring and leadership programme designed for young women to realise their potential.

The Discover™ programme aims to develop participant’s leadership style, and to provide opportunities to put it into practice challenges involving social and community responsibility.  The programme works with young women in Years 12-13 over 18 months, during which students become involved with one-on-one mentoring by volunteer women.  Mentors support and encourage students to embrace new projects, work within the community and achieve their goals.

“Sir Peter Blake was a legend in our country. For Sarah-Jane to share the story of her father and talk about motivation and goal setting, we showcased some key elements of leadership – which the Discover™ programme focuses on.” says Makere Derbyshire, Executive Director for YWCA of Greater Wellington region.

Wellington East Girl’s College students on the Discover™ programme will be working soon to create an advocacy or fundraising project to benefit our community and make a difference to people’s lives.

YWCA Discover™ Programme Leader Lili Schimdt-Uili will be working with the students on their community projects. “Participants of the programme heard from volunteers about causes and their passion for their community.  The YWCA is here to empower our young women help to create a safe and secure community – this project is a great chance to practise the public speaking, networking and team building skills they have gained in the programme.”

Sarah-Jane Blake spoke of her father, Sir Peter who has inspired many, none more so than herself, who is now supporting his leadership legacy through the Sir Peter Blake Trust and NZ Leadership Week.

Derbyshire says, “Inspirational role models like Sarah-Jane are the types of role models young women really desire today.  Real people with real stories sing true.  Inspirational to take on a challenge, even just enough to put your hand up to apply for a programme like Discover™, can be hard to find.  We hope some of Sarah-Jane’s words gave passion and energy for more students to take on the new challenges.”

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6 July 2010: YWCA pushes for less drink in Wellington

YWCA Greater Wellington president, Vanisa Dhiru agrees alcohol consumption is engrained in our society.  “Many young women drink to get drunk – it’s now seriously out of hand.  Walk down Courtenay Place after midnight on a Wednesday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday night – it’s embarrassing.  Young women taking alcohol pops like cough drops, young people loitering the streets with booze hidden in cars, young women with puke on their dresses – alcohol can put our young women at risk of causing harm to themselves and to others.”

“We accept the Wellington City Council’s bylaw change – but it’s not nearly going to be enough for Wellington, or for Aotearoa.  We need to take on the Law Commission’s proposed ‘5+ solution’ – raising alcohol prices, raising the purchasing age, reducing alcohol accessibility, decreasing marketing and advertising and increasing drink driving counter-measures.  That’s five – the ‘plus’ is increasing treatment opportunities for heavy drinkers – those with serious problems.  One local change possible now is reducing alcohol accessibility by reviewing and declining on and off liquor licences the Council can give out.”

YWCA Greater Wellington Executive Director, Makere Derbyshire says, “85% of the NZ population say they drink.  In the 12-17 age range, more girls than boys drink – but in all other age groups, men outnumber women.  Here are the facts, we need to change our culture – and culture change may need to start with youth if ‘wiser’ role models, like parents, don’t want to change.  We want young women to make positive life choices and drink responsibly.”

“We need to empower our young women help to create a safe and secure community for everyone” says Dhiru, the first woman aged 29 years as president for the YWCA in the Wellington region.

“We’ll await our government’s next steps and hear the changes they’ll make in the next few weeks.  Hopefully our leaders will be able to lead us out of a national drinking culture sooner rather than later.”

Law Commission’s 5+ solution

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24 June 2010: Young women’s research coming soon

WELTEC students presented to the YWCA board, committee members and friends early this month on the three month research project they have undertaken for our new programme development.  The main issues identified for young women in our region were:

• Relationships
• Money and budgeting
• Studies and education
• Job and career
• Self confidence and self image
• Cooking
• Relaxation.

Reports are due to us later in the month from our research teams, PowerVision International and Shaping Young Minds (below).  From this research, we’ll get onto developing our needs-based programmes for the region’s young women!

Shaping  Young Minds at the YWCA research presentation -
Back:  Rob Nelson (WelTec lecturer), Vanisa  Dhiru (President, YWCA Greater Wellington), Ra Tahere, Emilee Dimcheff, Priya Singh, Makere Derbyshire (Executive Director, YWCA Greater Wellington)
Front: Emily Zajkowski, Dinithi Chadrasekera

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14 May 2010: YWCA of Wellington advocates about alcohol

Last week, our association gave a submission to the Wellington City Council regarding the proposed local liquor control bylaw.

Our mission, to support women to make positive life choices is guided by the World YWCA’s theme for this year, which is ‘women creating a safe and secure world’.

We believe amending the liquor control bylaw contributes to the achievement of these outcomes for the following reasons:

• Restricting the consumption of alcohol in public places will contribute to a reduction in alcohol-related intimidation and violence and to the safety and security of young Wellington women.
• Reducing accessibility to alcohol will contribute to addressing the problem of alcohol abuse in our community and further reduce opportunities for young women to abuse alcohol, the achievement of which also contributes to our safety and supports positive life choices.
• Restricting the consumption of alcoholin public places ensures that young women feel safe in, and have equal access to, public places.
• The YWCA of Wellington and Hutt Valley also supports the 5+ Solution (a set of policy directives based on the World Health Organisation sponsored, publication, “Alcohol: No Ordinary Commodity”) outlined by Alcohol Action NZ and recognises the potential contribution of the bylaw to the achievement of action point three: reduced accessibility to alcohol.

Staff and board will give a joint oral submission to the Wellington City Council on Thursday 20 May at 1.10pm.

Law Commission’s 5+ solution

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24 April 2010: New name, new constitution and new president announced on YWCA Day

On YWCA day, 24 April 2010, our membership voted at the Annual General Meeting to have:

• A legal name change: YWCA of Greater Wellington (remit 1, altered)
• A new Constitution (remit 3, tabled at the AGM)
• A new President, Vanisa Dhiru

For those that could not join us, view our Annual Report tabled at the meeting held at Te Ranga Marae in Island Bay.

Our official name change be transitioned over time once we have done all the required paperwork with the Societies and Charities Commission.

Thank you for your attendance and apologies for our AGM.

2009 YWCA of Wellington and Hutt Valley Annual Report (pdf)

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14 April 2010: Join us for our 103rd AGM and Maori Women’s Transfer Fund celebration, 24 April from 2pm

You are invited to our AGM; an opportunity for us to share our vision and plans for the future including our 2010 initiatives as well as a chance to meet and connect with other members.

We will also be celebrating 20 years of the Maori Women’s Transfer Fund.

Our 2010 AGM papers are online for you to download and review:

• 2010 YWCA AGM agenda, 2009 minutes and remits (PDF, 6 pages)

• Proposed Constitution for YWCA of Wellington and Hutt Valley (PDF, 8 pages)

If you are interested to see the change from our current Constitution vs. the proposed Constitution, view this document:

• Proposed Constitution set up along current Constitution (PDF, 14 pages)

The 2009 Annual Report, including 2009 Financial Report will be available at the AGM and on our website, www.wgtnywca.org.nz the following Monday, 26 April.  Please contact us if you would like a printed copy sent to you by post after the AGM.

Date:  Saturday 24 April 2010, YWCA Day
Time:  Maori Women’s Transfer Fund celebration from 2pm, AGM from 4pm
Venue:  Te Ranga Marae, 44 Rhine Street, Island Bay, Wellington
RSVP:  Claire on 04 385 0505 by Tuesday 20 April or enquiries@wgtnywca.org.nz

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28 March 2010: Vanisa Dhiru – Justice of the Peace NZ and Inspiring Kiwi

Vanisa Dhiru, our current Vice-President has become a Justice of the Peace of New Zealand and will be offering the following JP services, by appointment, from the YWCA of Wellington and Hutt Valley office on Ghuznee Street:

* Witnessing documents
* Certifying copies of documents
* Taking declarations, affidavits and affirmations.

Contact Vanisa direct on vanisa.dhiru “@” gmail.com or phone/text 021 550497 to make an appointment.

We are proud to have Vanisa become one of the youngest female JPs in Australiasia and offer this service to Wellington women from the YWCA.

Vanisa was recently one of three finalists in the inaugral Young New Zealander of the Year 2010 awards, and was interviewed this month by the Good Morning show promoting her volunteer work, including her work with the YWCA movement.

Vanisa’s interview on the TVNZ website

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26 February 2010: 2010/2011 Wellington Entertainment Books pre-orders now open!

We are selling the Wellington Entertainment Book this year, to raise funds for our 2010 YWCA Discover™ programme!

The Entertainment™ Book is a local restaurant and activity guide providing hundreds of 25% to 50% off and 2-for-1 offers from the finest restaurants, cafés, attractions, activities and accommodation.

Selling for only $60, the Books are filled with offers worth well over $15,000!

The 2010/2011 edition features great new inclusions such as:
Dockside, The Label Room at the Martinborough Hotel, The Green Man, Red Ginger, Chocolate Dayz Café, Palms Malaysian Restaurant, Speak Easy Restaurant, Le Marche Francais, Mediterranean Food Warehouse, Reading Cinemas…

And of course, there are plenty of your favourites, including:
Logan Brown, The White House, Zibbibo, Le Canard, The General Practitioner, Maria Pia’s Trattoria, St John’s Heineken Hotel, Boulcott St Bistro, Arbitrageur, Wagamama, Plum, Ernesto, The Flying Burrito Brothers, The Hurricanes, Sky City Cinemas…

As a special offer, order and pay for your book IMMEDIATELY you could receive a bonus discounts certificate valued at over $120 (subject to availability). Featuring offers from six of the new 2010/2011 inclusions, these bonus offers can be used straight away – Lone Star 25% off, Readings 2-for-1, 2-for-1 Hurricanes tickets… be in quick, limited stocks on these bonus offers!

How to pay for your pre-order of the Entertainment Book 2010/2011:

• Deposit your $60 into our bank account to pre-order your book now:
  Bank: Westpac 03 0510 0740615 00 (please use your name and “EntCard” as a transaction reference);
• Write us a cheque for $60 made out to “YWCA of Wellington and Hutt Valley”;
• Come into the office and pay $60 cash; or
• Contact us to charge $60 to your credit card.

To place your pre-orders, contact Vanisa on enquiries@wgtnywca.org.nz or phone 04 3850505 between 9am-5pm, weekdays.

Entertainment Book website

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19 February 2010: Enrol in the free Hutt Valley Encore programme now

The YWCA Encore programme assists women who have had breast cancer surgery regain their mobility, flexibility and self-confidence through gentle exercise and support. Our first 8 week free programme for 2010 is starting in March.

First session: Monday 8 March 2010, 9 -11am
Subsequent session times: Mondays from 9.30 -11.30am; note Monday 5 April there will be a break for Easter
Ends: Monday 3 May 2010
Venue: Hutt Hospital High Street, LOWER HUTT

For details and enrollment contact: Claire Laurenson, Wellington Encore Co-ordinator on 04 567 1474.

For more about the Encore programme, click here.

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20 November 2009: Check out the latest news from the Y in Wellingtop

Nga Wahine Puawai, November 2009 (pdf)

Contents include:

• Celebrating Suffrage in September with the YWCA
• A young women’s perspective on Suffrage
• Presidents Piece
• Young leaders helping the community – Discover
• Givealittle to the Wellington Y
• Reclaim the Night for women in Wellington
• Helping our breast cancer survivors in Wellington – Encore
• YWCA staying connected online
• News in brief

 

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20 November 2009: Discover™ mentees to graduate!

Come along and see the Discover™ mentees graduate next month at Westpac!

Date: Thursday 3 December  2009
Time: 6pm – 8pm
Venue: Level 8, Westpac House, Lambton Quay, Wellington
RSVP by: Monday 30 November, 5pm for catering purposes.

Entry fee: Complimentary invites (no cost) to all graduating mentees (and one guest) and all graduating mentors. Other guests will be charged at $20+GST per person payment by invoice, or $24 per person for GiveaLittle credit card payments. Paying guests are to RSVP also by email confirming payment. No door sales.

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12 October 2009: Encore enrolments now closed

The third Encore programme this year is running now:

Dates: 5 October to 30 November 2009
Times: Tuesdays, 9am – 11am
Venue: Hutt Hospital, High Street, Lower Hutt

For details and enrolment contact: Claire Laurenson on 04 567 1474.

New enrolments are being sort for our after breast cancer recovery programmes for next year – register your interest with Claire.

YWCA Encore programme

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1 October 2009: Maori Women’s Transfer Fund applications open

Applications to the second round of the Maori Women’s Transfer Fund in 2009 round are now open. Applications close 31 October 2009, 5pm.

MWTF information

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17 September 2009: Women’s Suffrage Celebrations

Our suffrage breakfast fundraiser was a success on the 17th September, with the Honorable Pansy Wong, Minister of Women’s Affairs, sharing with us the government’s direction for women’s affairs in New Zealand and also giving opportunity to Stacey Swanson, one of our Discover™ programme mentees, to share with us her winning speech from the Wellington East Girls College Speech contest.

We thank those that joined us for the fundraising event, including honorable ministers Lianne Dalziel, Carol Beaumont, Sue Moroney and Catherine Delahunty; mayors Kerry Prendergast and Jenny Brash; Ministry of Women’s Affairs CEO Shenagh Gleisner; and our Ambassador, Avenal McKinnon.

Minister Pansy Wong’s speech from the YWCA Suffrage event.

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15 September 2009: Young leaders helping the community

Over the last month and a half, our young Wellington leaders have been working hard to raise money and awareness towards two deserving charities.

Wellington East Girl’s College Discover mentees worked in two teams to create an advocacy project that would benefit their community and make a difference to people’s lives.

Team Leader Rebecca Bishop, Year 13, and her team held sausage sizzles and raffle draws to raise money for Miramar Primary South School’s reading programme.  The school has a low decile and a high proportion of students whose second language is English.  To aid these pupils the school needs specialised literacy resources.  Rebecca and her team have so far managed to raise $800.  This money enables the school to buy 80 new books.

 

Manisha Prakash, Year 13, and her team have raised over $100 towards their charity ‘Positive Women’, an organisation that promotes community education of HIV and AIDS, and provides support for women affected by the disease.  Manisha and her team are also counting the money raised from their school bake sale and raffle collection.

 

Discover™ Programme Manager, Lili Schmidt-Uili says, “The mentees have achieved a noble task by serving their community and making a difference to people’s lives.  They have had to balance their school and extracurricular commitments, as well as develop and complete the project.  To do this within the time frame is an admirable achievement.”

YWCA Discover™ programme