ELTHAM LIONS CLUB KITE FESTIVALS 1987 - 2017The following document was prepared by the Eltham Lions Club in support of anapplication for the 2017 Waverley Award. .

It is published here with the permission of the Lions Club.

At the end of the document we have added some newspaper photos taken at the so"Eltham Kite Festival.

Enjoy the journey that the NZKA has taken with the Eltham Lions Club.

In The Beginning ...

In 1986 member of the Eltham Lions Club, Noel Boddie, was in Napier with his family and came across a kite festival, whichleft an impression on him. Two weeks later he visited another kite festival in Wanganui where he met Peter Whitehead a memberof the New Zealand Kite Flyers Association and extended an invitation to come to Eltham with their kites. In 1987 the first KiteFestival was held in Eltham at Turners farm, Neill Road and has been held at this venue ever since. This festival has become anannual event for the past 30 years.

Community Participation ...

Over the past 30 years we've held a wild foods BBQ, auctions, dinners, early-riser breakfasts, and generally good fun. Thefestival has gone from a hundred people attending to a large crowd with various stalls including BBQs, Mr Kool, Coffee Cart and aface painter. Mrs Turner Snr passed comment that over the 30 years she has been attending the kite festival, she has never seenthe carpark as full of vehicles as the 2017 festival. The Eltham Lions Club are extremely grateful for the NZ Kite Flyers coming toEltham and flying and showing their kites to everyone and also providing some kites for sale. The great response and attendanceof the public has ensured that this event is the success it has been and will continue to be for many years to come.

Club Involvement ...

The success of the ongoing Kite Festivals has been due to the commitment and involvement of the entire Eltham Lions Clubmembership and family members. From the planning of the day, the setting up of all the tents and BBQs, manning the stalls rightthrough to the clean up at the end to ensure the paddock is returned in its original state for the farmer. This event has alwaysbeen a free day out for the public to enjoy participating or simply observing the magnificent kites in flight. The Eltham Lions Clubpride itself on making this a free family day out where the public can bring their families, pack a picnic, fly a kite or just watchothers fly theirs and enjoy the atmosphere and hospitality of the Lions Club.

The Eltham Lions Club Kite Festival is the longest running kite festival in the whole of New Zealand. Our collaboration withthe NZ Kite Flyers Association has grown from strength to strength from early beginning to now, a festival still being run 30 yearslater.

1987 - 1997

Early festival days setting up the kite stall

Lolly scramble for the kids, droppedby Becks Helicopter

While some of the fashions havechanged, the kites have re-mained bright and colourful andthe gatherings have always beenfull of laughter and good fun.

The tent set up to sell kites and BBQ food.

1997 - 2007

2007 - 2017

Above: Three generations of Turner family. It's thanks to the Turner familyfor the use of their property to run the kite festivals for 30 years. Back rightis the seniors who volunteered their land at the beginning, centre son andEltham Lions Club member David, assisting his children Sarah and George tofly their kite.

Right: The scale of some of the kites that have graced the skies aboveEltham for 30 years.

Kids of all ages enjoykite day.

Please ..... can I have a turn now?

Fun for all the family -kites, ice cream andBBQ food!

FEBRUARY 2, 2017, TARANAKI STAR

stuff.co.nz

Eltham flies toward its30th annual kite dayJANE MATTHEWS

Generations have attended thekite day in Eltham year afteryear and no matter how muchtime passes the day is alwaysfilled with children.

For the past 30 years ElthamLions Club president Joyce Law-rence has seen the same thing,adults completely enjoying theirday out

"The thing that's really neatis kid that comes out in theadult," she said.

"You see these families turnup and the kids got the kite, andnext thing mum or dad is flyingthe kite."

The Eltham Lions Club KiteDay has been running since1987, on the same farm downNeil Road.

Every year the New ZealandKite Flyers Association comesto Eltham and shows off as

me 01them areso big tbey IIavtbem totowbar 01a car,adtbe car rocks witbtbe WlJlUI.'"Joyce Lawrence

much as they can."They bring as many kites as

their cars can hold," Lawrencesaid.

The president said the kitescan be worth thousands ofdollars and stretch up to 30metres in length.

"Some of them are so big theyhave them tied to the towbar of acar, and the car rocks with thewind," she said.

"You can see them frommiles."

Lawrence said that was when

the Turners' property on NeillRd was chosen because "it'ssuch a great. venue" andspectators call in after they seethe kites while driving alongState Highway 3.

The president said shecouldn't pick a favourite kite,but remembered one that stoodout -or down.

"A couple of years ago one ofthem had made a car out of kitematerial but it was anchored tothe ground, so the kids could sitin the car," she said.

"It didn't actually fly, but thelittle kids had a balL It sat on theground and the .wtnd wouldwobble it around. "

The president said it was a"something for nothing" kind ofday -welcoming all for free, withor without kites.

The sky high day, which willhave stalls too, is on SundayFebruary 5 from lO.3Oam.

Prior to the Kite Festival being heldon Waitangi weekend, the TaranakiStar ran an article and photo on thecover.

A follow-up article and photo spreadwill be in the Taranaki Star Thursday16th February, 2017 publication (notavailable at close of entry)

30th anniversary dinner held at the Eltham Fire StationSaturday 4th February, 2017.

Peter Whitehead - President NZ Kite Flyers Assn, JoyceLawrence - President Eltham Lions Club, Noel Boddie -initiator of introducing the kite festival, cutting the anni-versary cake.

The morning of the Kite festival the Eltham LionsClub held an early-risers breakfast at the Turner'swoolshed. It was all hands on deck to set up, andcook the BBQ breakfast. Of course, being a sheepfarm, everyone was 'drenched' prior to eating withCanterbury Cream liqueur. This ensured everyonewas well set for a full day of flying!

Pigs can fly-and batsand teddiesBy CLARE BRAMLEYEltham Lions Bulletin Editor

On Sunday, February 5, theEltham Lions Club and NZ KiteAssociation held their 30thannual Kite Day.

It was an extremelysuccessful day with hundreds ofmembers of the public as well asLions members and kiteassociation members attending.

A roaring trade on thebarbecue as well as the coffeecart and Mr Whippy saweveryone well fed throughoutthe day. The kite stall was alsosold out and with the windpicking up from mid-morningonwards, there were hundreds ofkites in the air including amonkey, whales, giant squids,bears and a snow leopard.

The previous evening adinner was held to celebrate the30 years of successfulcollaboration with a potluckdinner and a large mudcake.Stories were told and manylaughs were had by all. Therewas also an auction of kiteswhich reminded everyone tokeep their hands still or riskgoing home with extra goods!

Before the Kite Day abarbecue breakfast was also heldto make sure everyone was wellprepared for the full day ahead.

Many thanks to everyonewho came and supported theday, donated at the gate orpurchased food or kites. We hopeto see everyone again next yearfor another fantastic day.

ay sees flun

CAKE CUTTING: From left, Peter Whitehead (president NZ KiteFlyers Association), Joyce Lawrence (president Eltham Lions Club)and Noel Boddie (initiator of bringing the kites to Eltham and anEltham Lions member).

reCis In si<les

PIGS MAY FLY: Not to mention bats, teddy bears and all sorts ofother creatures ...

FLYING HIGH: There were plenty of kites soaring in the sky on theday.

Soaring celebrationsOn February 5 the Eltham LionsClub held their 30th annual KiteDav, The sunny day wasextremely successful withrumours flying that it may havebeen the most popular yet.

The sky was absolutely littered with kites. following the sell out of the kite stall. A young girl flew her wee kite with the 30·40 metre longkites the New Zealand Kite Association bought.

The Kite Day was an absolute success- the Lions counting185 cars at one point. and that was as far as they could see.