Society News
18th August 2011
New Offices at QE Health
Above: Todd McClay MP (left) and Karen Reed, President Diabetes NZ Rotorua
On Monday 5th September we held our official opening ceremony for our new office in QE Health.
At the official opening of the offices, Eugene Berryman-Kamp, from Lakes District Health Board performed a Karakia and blessed the site.
Peter Sharplin, General Manager of QE Health, spoke enthusiastically about taking Diabetes New Zealand on board.
National MP Todd McClay, an ardent supporter of Diabetes New Zealand, noted the appropriateness of the site - on land which is considered to be a place of healing.
Karen Reed, President of Diabetes NZ Rotorua and Deputy Regional Representative for Diabetes New Zealand, said, “We’ve been in existence for well over 30 years now and we’ve been through some difficult times, but today marks a significant change in direction for us as we make bigger and stronger strides forward in our mission to help and support those people living with diabetes in and around Rotorua.”
What difference does having an office make? “We now have a permanent base,” says Karen, “We immediately become more accessible to the community. Diabetes New Zealand sees its role to provide information and support to people and families with diabetes, and to advocate and lobby for better health care services on behalf of these people. Now we are in a much better position, not only to do this, but to take our mission one step forward and help to facilitate more and better services for those people who desperately need them. Our vision is to work towards a Rotorua Community Diabetes Centre, where information, resources and support can be coordinated and made available to everyone in the Rotorua community.”
There are well over 3,000 people in Rotorua with diabetes and Karen says the figure is rising at an alarming rate. “We need to collaborate our efforts to help curb the effects of this epidemic on our community.” An alliance with Golds Health and Fitness (“Gold Sponsors” of Diabetes NZ Rotorua 2010 - 2011) is just one of the ways in which the organisation hopes to get others involved.
Diabetes NZ Rotorua in QE HEalth is open: Wed - Fri | 9:30am - 2:00pm | Ph 349 5256
18th August 2011
New Offices at QE Health
We have now moved into our new office space at QE Health! This is a huge step for the Society and we hope that you will help us mark the occasion by attending our official opening on Monday 5th September at 1:00pm (Refreshments will be provided).
27th June 2011
New Offices at QE Health
We are very pleased to announce that we shall be moving into our new offices at QE Health in mid-July. This is a huge move forwards for us and will be the first time that we have had a permanent base (apart from our desk in Community Link).
Offce opening times will be announced shortly.
9th May 2011
Annual General Meeting
We had a great turn out at this year's AGM, and we're pleased to announce that we have a revitalised committee to take us on another year...
President: Karen Reed
Vice President: Maree Deane
Secretary: Michelle McFarlane
Treasurer: Hilary Hope
Youth Coordinator: Charlie WIndell
Balance of Committee:
Wendy Gifford
Eve Waldman
Leone Mills
Les Rees
Dr Nic Crook was our guest speaker for the evening, and informed us about the latest developments in treatments for Type 2 and the availability of pumps.
Ina Benbow won the raffle.
9th May 2011
Destination Unity
After a weekend of AGMS, meetings and workshops in Wellington I can report that Destination Unity looks set to continue. If we run to the proposed timescale, then we shall be looking to join Diabetes New Zealand at the end of May 2012, and at this time we shall start the process of winding up as an independent incorporated society.
In the meantime though, it is going to be very much
'business as usual'.