What a difference 365 days can make.
This time last year it was standing room only at a tense Aotea Family Support Group annual general meeting at the St Johns Church annex in Medlands. People had turned up to hear how the organisation planned to get out of the very deep hole in which it found itself: $200,000 in debt, the trust standing down en masse and a developing public image problem.
Out of that meeting emerged an entirely new trust and a concerted campaign to turn the ship around. With Syd Davies as new chair, Beverly Slater appointed as the organisation’s (first ever) general manager and the likes of Brent Henderson and Winny Medland stepping up as trustees, AFSG has performed a miraculous 180, and today, one year on, is on solid ground once more. At its 2024 AGM on July 5th, Syd described it as a “challenging but very rewarding year”, made easier by “brilliant and very talented trustees”.
He also acknowledged all those who stood by the organisation – both in spirit and with donations – during its rocky patch. “We have accomplished miracles with the help of the residents of Aotea. Thank you.”
Just some of AFSG’s successes cited at the meeting were: negotiating the write off of most of a large IRD debt, negotiating increased rates for home help, overhauling the governance and management of the organisation, sorting counselling for locals, and securing funding to allow rangatahi programmes to continue.
The hard mahi isn’t over but there’s a real sense that AFSG has emerged stronger and better.
Words by Kathy Cumming -Community Broker
