Its 8am at OPC headquarters and its buzzing with conversations, safety briefings and the days plans. Instructors are about to head into wilderness as they gather their radios and meet their groups of excited young peeps.
Meanwhile, the crew behind the scenes are working away sorting out medical forms, bookings, finances, the new website, planning events, developing database systems, maintaining buildings and vehicles, responding to radio calls, sorting out IT hiccups, management restructuring, chopping firewood, sharing ideas… there’s a lot going on.
In just over 2 weeks with the centre I have been learning a lot about how this place ticks, its systems and the many roles of people here (and a crazy amount of acronyms!). I’ve also shared what makes me tick, our World of Difference year ahead and been treasure hunting for resources….including a freeze proof, water proof, dust proof and shock proof camera!
Becoming part of the OPC community has been a priority so on Friday eve I cooked peoples a hakaari and we watched an awesome film called Earth Whisperers, Papatuanuku (at the CC – that’s the Community Centre). This was a great way to bring our minds together as one and feel inspired by a diversity of New Zealand Earth activists responding to the life around and within us. This will be the first of a series of social and environmental film screenings for staff throughout the year, so do get in touch if you know of any positive and connecting flicks (gratitude!).
On that thread, we are also re-developing the role of the Environmental Officers and two awesome instructors have stepped up to take it on, pick up and develop our conservation programs, as well as co-create a social and environmental response action plan for OPC. So exciting!
Sharing kaupapa with our local communities has begun and there are some exciting ideas coming forward for collaboration. We are also seeking advice from our community and experts about developing a framework for OPC to establish a baseline for social responsibility – a clear place from which we can grow with others and develop positive relationships.
And It wasn’t so long ago when Graeme Dingle set out to ask young New Zealanders if they wanted the centre. And with an astounding ‘yes’ co-created this place with no cash upfront, a lot of possum stews and the power of people who really believed in adventure and connecting young people with the outdoors.
Discovering more deeply the inspiring beginnings and future aspirations of this community has been wonderfully reinforcing for me. It’s been 37 years, a lot is changing and I have realised that it’s the perfect time to be here.
I am also learning how to create movement with patience, and feeling challenged by existing for so many hours indoors. I do know though, that Natures grace is only a few footsteps away and it wont be too long before I am under open skies and trialling programmes with our young people and instructors.
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In the staff village at night I hear Ruru call, and moth wings purr in my room above my head. Morning light wakes me with mountain sights and gratitude flows for living and giving with this place….
Til next time…
Stephanie






















That was just in time to make space to erect a marquee for Prime Minister John Key’s visit to unveil a commemorative 40th Birthday plaque. At this special occasion Prime Minister spoke about the work we do at Youthline as potentially the last port of call for those who need support, guidance and help. These were significant words considering the governments funding cuts that have left our volunteer training programmes in need of $40K, a shaky position.



