RACHAEL COMER
January 26, 2018
Timaru musician Noes Butts, left, and TimaruRocks co-ordinator Roselyn Fauth prepare for TimaruRocks' first birthday celebrations at the Timaru Botanic Gardens on Saturday.
DOUG FIELD / STUFF
A Timaru group established to get people out of the house and into public spaces around the region is set to celebrate its first birthday.
TimaruRocks was launched on social media in January 2017, after Timaru woman Roselyn Fauth saw similar groups "going well" in other parts of the country.
Since then it has gained more than 3000 members and been part of some major community events including the first soapbox derby held in town since the 1980s and an event on Caroline Bay remembering the anniversary of New Zealand's nuclear-free status. Members also helped mark mental health awareness by holding a rock hunt.
Fauth said it was now time to celebrate the group's first birthday on Saturday at the Timaru Botanic Gardens with a picnic and family event.
TimaruRocks had teamed up with the Friends of the Timaru Botanic Gardens for the celebration, she said. The friends group re-established last year after several years in recess.
"It can be a lot of work to undertake by just a few volunteers, especially when we are not an official group.
"Teaming up with the Friends helps share the planning, hosting and responsibility, plus we can bounce ideas off each other. We are really thrilled to see the Friends group re-establish, and hopefully we can partner more together. Our family loves the Botanic Gardens, it's a real gem of our district. So peaceful, tidy and interesting."
Fauth said Saturday's event would include a rock hunt, harp music, dress up, model boats, bubbles and games.
"Everyone is welcome," she said.
"It is pretty casual. The idea is people turn up and make their own fun, bring their own picnic, bring a ball, games and rocks. Kids' supervision is essential."
"Ultimately we aim to bring our community even closer together, catch up, make new friends and share a little bit of happiness."
She said there wouldn't be any food vendors, or anything that cost money at the event, ensuring it would be a "cheap day out".
The event begins at 11am at the band rotunda in the Timaru Botanic Gardens.
- The Timaru Herald