08-07-2025
Hay Day's heyday still ahead as 50th marked
"We're so well supported, it's amazing ... A lot of people put in a lot of support, volunteering to do it for the last 50 years. It's amazing." — Frances Calvert. Photo: supplied
The 50th annual Waikaka Hay Day was another runaway success, with plenty of baleage and money raised for the town.
For the event, farmers in the district donate baleage to be auctioned off, with all proceeds heading back into the community.
The money raised will help keep the lights on at the Waikaka sports complex, as well as support local clubs and teams such as the hockey club.
The Hay Day, held late last month, resulted in $17,000 being raised through the auction.
Hockey club president Frances Calvert was chuffed with the outcome.
Mrs Calvert said the day was a good example of a small community looking out for one another.
"We're so well supported, it's amazing. Very grateful to the farmers... Waikaka Transport deliver the baleage for free.
"A lot of people put in a lot of support, volunteering to do it for the last 50 years. It's amazing," she said.
Although the Hay Day itself ran the same way as the previous iterations, a special dinner and celebration to mark the half-century was held
at the sports complex, complete with entertainment.
One of the first auctioneers, Ken McRae, regaled audiences with memories of Hay Days past, having the audience in fits with his storytelling.
A choir of local schoolchildren performed to the crowd, Gore District Mayor Ben Bell mixed and mingled, and a special cake was cut.
Fifty years on, Mrs Calvert said the Hay Day shone as an example of how rural communities could come together to help one another.
"Waikaka is a very tight-knit community. We'll give money to the golf club, the rugby club, we fund children going to sports tournaments or someone going to Starship [Hospital].
"When it comes around, it goes around.
"When money goes out, it comes back into the community," she said.
