Dead Rockers Ball to raise funds for Waitati toddler playground

RNZ News

2 days ago

The grounds which may become a playground.
Photo:
Tess Brunton / RNZ
A group of Otago parents hope a 'dead rockers' fundraiser will help to turn a patch of dirt into a toddlers' playground.
It has been more than a decade since the playground next to the Blueskin Bay Library in Waitati was moved to make way for an extension.
But with no money to replace the playground, local parents hope donning denim, glamming up and getting their dance on will turn a blank canvas into a toddler's delight.
Waitati mum Laura Deaker said apart from the library, there was not too much to do for young children in Waitati and local parents wanted that to change.
"So if there was a swing or something here right now, then that would be perfect entertainment because the sun's out. This is a tropical 10C day in Waitati and it would be good for him to be outside, getting some vitamin D and some fresh air, burning energy before bedtime."
Waitati mum Laura Deaker and her son Morgan hope to turn the library garden into a playground.
Photo:
Tess Brunton / RNZ
The parents were turning to the likes of Freddie Mercury, Tina Turner and David Bowie to get the ball rock and rolling, encouraging people to dress up as a dead rock star and help the library garden get a long-awaited makeover.
"It will be good just to have a wee hub as well, where like other mums can meet with their toddlers in a safe environment. It's close to the library if it gets cold, if it starts to rain," she said.
"Vice versa, if you're [in the] library and your kid's being a terror, you can be like 'right, out' and run a few laps. So yeah, it will be good for the mum's sanity as well."
She helped to plant strawberries, raspberries, flowers and herbs there a few years ago, but she wanted somewhere for the kids to play.
David Bowie and Tina Turner.
Photo:
PAUL COX / NURPHOTO / AFP
"I remember doing that with Mandy when I was suffering from morning sickness, so about three years ago back when we had all trees and things here, so it's time for a new era. It's time for a wee makeover and make it more toddler friendly," Deaker said.
Since then, the garden had become a bit overgrown but it was recently expanded after trees that blocked the sun were removed and a new retaining wall and new fence were added.
Now it was just missing a playground, she said.
"It doesn't need to have all the bells and whistles, Waitati kids are pretty resourceful, just some equipment would be good."
Dunedin-based band Bulletproof Convertible will host a Dead Rockers Ball at Waitati Hall on Saturday to raise funds for a local playground.
Photo:
Roger Grauwmeijer / supplied
Dunedin-based band Bulletproof Convertible will provide the tunes at the Dead Rocker Ball on Saturday at Waitati Hall, describing themselves as dark surf meets rockabilly rebel.
Double-bass player Paul Southworth said they had found a niche partnering up with community groups and helping to raise money for worthy causes, so it was a no-brainer when Waitati parents got in touch about hosting a fundraiser.
"If you see a photo of the ground they've got there, it's an absolute blank canvas," he said.
"What could be cooler than a playground for the littlies down at Waitati?"
The grounds which may become a playground.
Photo:
Tess Brunton / RNZ
Money from raffles, auctions and door sales will go towards the new playground.
Southworth loved to see people dress up, whether they were the King of Rock and Roll, the Prince of Darkness or their rock-star self.
"You see a lot of denim, you see a lot of Lemmys from Motörhead, plenty of Amy Winehouses," he said.
"People just get all glammed up and come along and have a good time. Some people wear their grandad's suit from 1982 or something, old ballgowns, things like that."
Waitati local Mandy Mayhem said the library garden was crying out for something fun, colourful and interactive that everybody could enjoy and feel welcome.
The late 'Prince of Darkness', Ozzy Osbourne.
Photo:
Instagrame / Ozzy Osbourne
But outdoor equipment was not cheap - she imagined they would need upwards of $20,000 to do a good job.
"There was no budget left, of course, to put new equipment in there and the space was a lot narrower, so parents got together and put some old car tyres and some wooden logs and things for the children to play on," she said.
"But, you know, over 10 years the tyres got pretty tired."
The recent maintenance work meant they had more space to work with, and she said they planned to consult with local parents about what they wanted to see added to the space.
She could not wait for the Dead Rockers Ball.
"I'll be rallying people to buy raffles all night long. Last time, I was Janis Joplin, but this time, I've just got my giant sequined epaulettes and my rainbow, stripey captain's hat - I think I'll be General Debauchery."
Waitati parents hope rockers will have a ball and turn a community daydream into a new playground.
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