Read about it! Newsletter No. 58 December 2012 BRINGING BOOKS AND CHILDREN TOGETHER SINCE 1995 ISSN 1177-0562 A new era for Duffy Theatre Duffy and the Best Book in the World has now finished DONATE YOUR its popular season of touring Duffy schools from the DESKTOP TO DUFFY Far North to Bluff. We’re very excited to be a part of a great Director, Kerryn Palmer and Scriptwriter, Cathryn Monroe have been the core new venture launched in April this year creative team behind such wonderful shows as Duffy’s Book Bus Adventure, which has the potential to help many of Duffy’s Occupation Exploration and Duffy and the Story Snatcher, to name just a the Duffy kids in schools currently without few. Their ideas and talents will be greatly missed, not only by the Duffy team but sponsorship. also by the kids, parents and teachers who have enjoyed their shows. The whole Duffy team would like to thank Kerryn and Cathryn for their wonderful contribution Donate Your Desktop is a unique concept devised by to the Duffy Theatre. four young Kiwi entrepreneurs. It allows anyone with a computer to receive a different and stylish advertisement Taking their place for 2013 is the new team of Director, Alison Quigan and on their desktop every day (no gaudy junk mail style Scriptwriter, Lauren Jackson. advertising allowed!). Alison will be well known to many people for her role on Shortland Street as Yvonne Jeffries. She is also a Duffy Role Model, having visited more than 70 Duffy Users simply install an application onto their computer that schools since the start of 2011. On top of that, she has performed in or directed updates their desktop background each day with a fresh more than 100 plays, making her the ideal person to take on one of the most wallpaper sponsored by an advertiser. popular children’s theatre productions in the country. As a result, 75% of the fees paid to advertise in this Lauren also has considerable acting experience, including playing the title role of space are donated to charity. Any New Zealander with Alex in the film based on the popular book by Tessa Duder. In 2005 Lauren won a computer can make a small donation at no cost to the Chapman Tripp Most Outstanding New themselves each day by having an attractive full-screen Playwright of the Year Award for her play advertisement as their wallpaper for a day. Exchange. One of her most recent works is All you have to do is visit the Donate Your Desktop website Polly Hood in Mumuland, a family musical and choose Duffy Books in Homes as your preferred which puts a distinctly New Zealand twist on a charity. If you use the programme for just 13 months you’ll well-known children’s story. have contributed enough to sponsor a Duffy kid for a Alison, Lauren and Production Manager, Sarah whole year! Graham are already hard at work on writing and auditioning for the 2013 Duffy Show and www.donateyourdesktop.co.nz we’re excited to see what they come up with! Alison Quigan Lauren Jackson Our wonderful Duffy Theatre actors are now enjoying a well-deserved rest after a great year! The printing of this newsletter is kindly sponsored by Soar Printing From the Office Free Pass for Dads 532 fathers who go the extra mile to help out their children and their schools Kia Ora, Talofa lava, Malo e lelei, Kia orana, were rewarded for their hard work in the week leading up to Father’s Day. Nisa Bula Vinaka, Fakalofa lahi atu, Taloha One dad in each Duffy school was the recipient of a special book as part of Ni, Namaste, Annyong, Warm greetings, to all the Scholastic Caught Being a Good Dad Award. Duffy Books in Homes schools, sponsors, role models, supporters and families This year’s award, sponsored by Scholastic New Zealand, was Press Pass by Geoff Dale. Dale’s retrospective of news and sports in New Zealand over It’s hard to believe we’re at the end of another year the past forty years provides a thoughtful, provocative and insightful collection and that Christmas is less than a month away! of iconic images and memories. The book was accompanied by a special One of the highlights of 2012 was the chance certificate which was presented to each winning father. to welcome Dr. Ben Carson and his wife Candy Kids in Duffy schools around the country told their school just why their dad to New Zealand in March. Hearing him share his should win an award which celebrates their vital contribution to school life. inspirational story with thousands of Duffy kids Schools voted, held writing competitions or even made lucky draws if the reminded us that anything is possible with the right decision was too tough. attitude. A big thanks goes to our friends at the Linda Vagana, says “Encouraging family literacy is one of our key goals so we’re Starship Foundation after our joint fundraising event thrilled that we can acknowledge some of our great dads and male role models with Dr. Carson. Thousands of Duffy kids have within our communities. This would not have been possible without our great benefited from the funds raised this year. partner Scholastic NZ for once again sponsoring such a wonderful award.” As you will have already read, this year we say goodbye to Kerryn Palmer and Cathryn Monroe of the Duffy Theatre. Whenever I see the excitement on kids’ faces as they watch the adventures of Duffy and his friends I’m reminded of the amazing job Kerryn and Cathryn have done in bringing Duffy to life over the years. They will both be missed by the entire Duffy team and our thanks goes out to them for all the amazing work and creativity they have put into the Duffy Show. In this newsletter you’ll also read about the Caught Being a Good Dad Award, sponsored by our friends at Scholastic, Term Three Role Model assemblies, School Leader assemblies, the Ready for Reading programme and an exciting new fundraising initiative LEFT: Mike Dalbeth is a regular visitor to Okaihau Primary School, always helping out whereever he can. He often helps provide supervision and transport on class called Donate Your Desktop. We’ll be taking a short trips as well as mucking in on school fundraising days too! He drives the quad bike break over summer but we’re looking forward to and trailer at Gala Days and cooks sausages on the BBQ, and he bakes a delightful starting 2013 refreshed and ready to go! lemon slice too. A general all round good guy!! He is pictured with his two girls Caitlin and Emma. Sponsor needed I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone RIGHT: Marc Clausen, pictured here with daughter Penina, was thrilled to receive who makes the Duffy programme possible. his copy of ‘Press Pass’ at St Bernadette’s School in Wellington. School Sponsor: Sponsors and supporters who provide the funding; ANZ Business Bank & EFTPOS Role Models who inspire the children with their messages; teachers who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure the kids get their books; suppliers and partners who keep things running smoothly; our Board of Trustees who provide guidance, and, of course, the Duffy team both in the office and out and about. Thank you to everyone for helping us achieve our goal of ending booklessness in New Zealand homes. I wish you all a wonderful and safe time over the festive season. Happy reading December 2012 Linda Vagana about it! GENERAL MANAGER Mr Sharan was the deserving winner of the award at Favona Primary School. He’s pictured here with his daughter Nichelle. School Sponsor: The Boyd Clarke Read Foundation ROLE MODELS: Nona Aston, Community Leader • Ngahi Bidois, Motivational Speaker • Alisha Birrell, More FM Gisborne & Wairoa • Greg Boyed, TV Presenter • Nicky Browne, Cricket • Catherine Cheatley, Cyclist • Richard Dryden, Classic Hits FM Manawatu • Matthew Faiumu Salapu, Musician • Christine Fernyhough, Writer • Davey Forbes, Army • Margaret Foster, Netball • Bernie Grant, Army • Norm Hewitt, Rugby • Gavin Hill, Rugby League • Jo Holley, TV Presenter • Charlie Howe, Football • Rachel Jackson-Lees, Newstalk ZB • Adrian Kirk, Juggler • Jacqui Knight, Author • Shona Laing, Musician • Sharleen Leaso, Niu FM • Andy MacKenzie, Classic Hits FM Wanganui • Linzi Malley, Motorsport • Alistair McIntyre, Writer • Sally Patrick, Police • Diana Queenin, Educator • Alison Quigan, Actor • Willie Rickards, Rugby • Grant Roa, Actor/Producer • Casey Robertson, Rugby • Joshua Robertson, Community Leader • Kate Robinson, Classic Hits FM Manawatu • Melissa Ruscoe, Rugby • Shelley Ryan, Animal Welfare • Dallas Seymour, Rugby • Julie Seymour, Netball • Sam Shosanya, Business • Neil Sorensen, Rugby • Eliza Stephens, Touch • Aimee Sutorius, Rugby • Feana Tu’akoi, Writer • Linda Vagana, Netball • Joy Watson, Writer • Chris White, Rowing • Tony Williams, Author • Jacque Wilton, National Aquarium of New Zealand • Chloe Emirali and AJ Funnell, Classic Hits FM Rotorua • Erin Simpson and Mike Lee, The Erin Simpson Show • Gem Knight, Longi “Ronnie” Taulafo and Adam Percival, What Now! • Helen and Henry Ngapo, Community Leaders • Manawatu Turbos • Mark Laurent and Brenda Liddiard, Musicians • Martin Good and Sarah van de Kley, Classic Hits FM Hawkes Bay • Rhyan Caine, Adrian Ferris, Eddie Paea, Dan Pryor, Matt Wallis and Jack Whetton, Northland Rugby • Will Johnston and Bridget Hastie, Classic Hits FM Tauranga Role Model Assemblies BOOK OFFER THREE 2012 91,016 Duffy kids around the country each received two free books donated by their schools and sponsors in the last three weeks of Term One. Linda Vagana was a hit with the kids of St Peter Chanel School and even taught them a new verse to the song they sang for her! Alison Quigan is the new Director of the School Sponsor: Rotary Club of Otaki Duffy Theatre but before that she’s been getting to know Duffy schools as a Role Model.