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Thank you to the Whakatane District Council for supplying the plants, and thank you to the Ohope Beach Lions for donating $400 towards this fundraiser, helping to plant the shrubs and cooking a wonderful sausage sizzle. A huge applause to the Ohope Volunteer Fire Brigade boys as they not only plant the trees but they also keep the kids enthralled with their shiney red fire engine.


“The project is truly a combined community event, encompassing numerous groups and organisations coming together to help re-vegetate a coastal area, and of course raising funds for Hospice!”
Dr Jo Petersen has lived in Whakatane for 15 years, earning a reputation as a trusted doctor at his Phoenix Health Centre practice. Prior to immigrating with his wife and two sons from South Africa in 1994, Jo had been based at a De Beers Mine hospital where his medical responsibilities included minor surgery, anaesthetics, and maternity services.
Jo belongs to a small group of athletes who participate in the grueling sport of ultra-marathon running; he ran his first race in 1980. He has competed in a number of ultras in locations such as Chile, Mongolia, Everest, and the Antarctic. At the beginning of July 2010 he completed a 250 kilometre, seven-day, six-stage footrace which crossed China’s notorious Gobi Desert. The most challenging day was a 100km run through 40-degree heat. Jo came in 9th place out of 153 competitors and 1st place in his age group! Once again Jo is raising funds for Hospice Eastern Bay of Plenty.
Jo finished in 6th place in the ultramarathon which was held in Southern Namibia May 2009 which encompassed a 550-metre deep Fish River Canyon, the 2nd largest canyon in the world. The course included a desert with a huge variety of terrains, from ankle-twisting boulders, stones, and soft sand. He ran over mountain ranges, through valleys, sand flats and 30 metre high sand dunes.
He finished third place in Chile’s Atacama Desert 2008 race, a staggering second place in the Antarctic Marathon and last year took first place honours in his age 50-59 age group, finishing 6th overall, recording a time of 31 hours, 49 minutes and 53 seconds.
At a young 58 years of age, he’s reaching his peak with these kinds of results in challenging, hostile environments.
Having already competed in more than 51 marathons since he started running back in 1979, Jo has decided that ultra marathons really give him the “ultimate combination” of off-road racing and travel around the globe.
When asked why he chooses to run for Hospice, Jo reported -
“I chose to support Hospice because I believe it’s an invaluable resource for families trying to cope with the stress and anxiety of terminal illness. As a general practitioner, I am acutely aware of the high level of professionalism and compassion with which they serve our community, and I am very proud to support their efforts in this small way.”
To donate go to http://www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/jo4hospice , or
post a cheque to Hospice EBOP, PO Box 275, Whakatane 3158, or
drop off a donation to Hospice EBOP, 37 Goulstone Road, Whakatane, or
call on 07 307 2244 to make a credit card donation over the phone.
Follow Jo’s amazing adventure on his blog: http://jo4hospice.wordpress.com
Follow Jo on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jo-Petersen-Ultra-Marathon-runner/358605981936
As advertised on Bayrock FM http://www.bayrock.co.nz
Congratulations to The Ohope Chartered Club team who won 1st prize! Dinner for 5 at The Office Bar and Grill.
The winners have graciously auctioned off the gift voucher so the proceeds came back to Hospice EBOP!
Click below to see all the great photos on Hospice EBOP’s Facebook page!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Whakatane/Hospice-EBOP/366769465790?ref=ts&__a=12&

“Clink your glasses, raise a toast, to the most fabulous homes on the Eastern Bay Coast”Friday 4th Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th November 2011
Toast the Coast is your invitation to tour 10 captivating Eastern Bay homes.
The 2009 event properties were decorated by teams of creative designers ranging in areas from art, interior decorators, florists, and landscape designers. Some of these incredibly talented individuals included Peter Clark, Leonie Moeke from Presentables, Kim Moncur from Palmers Garden World and renowned local artist and designer Felicity Barry who arranged floral decorations in the 4 Opotiki homes. Delwyn Byrne from Bouquet Floral Studio and the very talented Amanda Melville Flower Devas along with the Whakatane Floral Art Group were just some of the florists involved.
The organizing committee promise another exceptional event that will take you on a journey which to stimulate your senses and leave you with lasting memories of the fabulous homes on the Eastern Bay coast. If you enjoyed the 2009 tour, stay tuned for the 2011.
log onto the web site www.toasttothecoast.co.nz
This Hospice fundraising event will feature another 10 fabulous private homes that promises to inspire. This is not your ordinary home and garden fundraising tour, but rather a unique opportunity to look inside some of the Eastern Bay of Plenty’s most interesting and treasured properties. Each home reflects the home owners taste and character and will be further enhanced by designers, florists and, in some instances, magical Christmas decorations.


Up to 500 people enter this traditional Sunday Labour Weekend event which places an emphasis on the family, enjoying a day at beautiful Ohope Beach participating in a fun event setting their own pace and distance from either 3km, 5km, or 10km options. Win a pair of Asics walking shoes and other great spot prizes!
Many thanks to our main sponsors - Smiths City - Ohope Beach Community Board - Whakatane New World - Whakatane Great Oudoors - The Fresh Market, Sportsworld - Harcourts - Whakatane Print - The Beacon - Artisan Weddings - Total Health - Toi Toi - Beach Haven & Lotto Shot - Farmlands - Westpac - 4 Arts Sake
Hospice EBOP, in cooperation with Quota International of Whakatane and Whakatane Registered Master Builders, presented Dancing With Stars at the War Memorial Hall on Saturday 29 August. Not only did it raise an amazing $25,000, but it also made stars out of eight local couples! A special thanks to all our dancers, sponsors, volunteers and attendees who made this a night to be remembered! If you are interested in dance lessons from the instructor who graciously donated her time to Dancing With Stars, please contact Vanessa Hamman at 07 3071087 or 027 6307453.
