Thanks to Dave Veart, Chairman of the Devonport Peninsular Trust, standing in for Maria Teape, the Devonport Community Coordinator. Dave is a freelance writer, historian and archeologist with great knowledge of the social and environmental history of Devonport.
Dave talked about the role of the Community Coordinator in relation to the Trust. He reminded us that Devonport was the first area to appoint a co-ordinator whose role is to “fill gaps left by things other people aren’t doing.” He described some of the functions dealt with by Maria including
– Getting youth involved in the community
– Facilitating relationships between “our people” and the Auckland City Council
– Running events for groups who don’t usually have then ( the schools’ Athletic Day, Devonstock, the Treasure Hunt)
He also raised some of the possible issues that he felt needed focus – the community disconnect with 50% of local people having been in their house for fewer than 5 years and provision of basic job skills to enfranchise local youth into employment.
Dave congratulated Devonport Rotary for their key place in supporting the local community.