Te Awamutu i-Site general manager Harriet Dixon
Harriet Dixon’s first year at the helm of Te Awamutu’s i-Site information centre hasn’t been without its challenges.
Te Awamutu i-Site general manager Harriet Dixon hopes the upcoming fair will be a winning fundraiser for the centre. Photo: Viv Posselt
Her primary concern since coming on board has been keeping the centre open. When Waipā District Council funding went down the gurgler, another way had to be found to meet operating costs, and in July it was announced that Te Awamutu Business Chamber would take Destination Te Awamutu under its wing in order to secure the i-Site’s viability.
A break-in and theft resulted in the centre closing for two days, and Dixon, the only paid employee, has faced an ongoing struggle to keep up the numbers of volunteers. She has a band of stalwarts aged 14 to late 70s, but more are needed.
“We couldn’t open our doors without the volunteers. We’re the only i-Site left in the Waikato region now… the only one still part of that network,” she told The News last week. “We need $50,000 a year to run the place… $20,000 is the minimum we need to open.”
Dixon applied her experience as Cambridge Community House (CCH) manager for three years with a proactive approach to fundraising.
“I learned a lot about the region’s social service network while at CCH, and I’ve been able to utilise that here, to help link people with what they need. I’ve also learned so much about this town and what it has to offer. It’s an awesome combination,” she said.
One of the first things she did was introduce a new monthly craft fair in February.
“I had been talking to the board about having a monthly market when I was approached by the Kaipaki Market. I suggested we do something together and we’ve been doing it ever since.”
Te Awamutu Information Centre’s Harriet Dixon with her winning entry and president Diana Jones. Photo: Tess Smith
Proceeds from what is now called the Rosetown Monthly Fair go to the Te Awamutu i-Site, and Kaipaki stallholders join crafters in reaping the rewards that come with greater visibility.
“We have about 80 stalls a month… it has been going really well.”
Dixon applied the same format to rebranding what used to be the Te Awamutu Annual Craft Market – turning it into the Rosetown Christmas Craft Fair. The inaugural version of that is coming on November 22, complete with 150 stalls, food trucks, crafts from around the region, refreshments and entertainment.
Dixon said the monthly fairs have been bringing in about half the basic annual operational costs, around $10,000, and she hopes to raise around $10,000 at this month’s event.
“I have ideas around a few other things I want to do,” she added. “This is a fantastic community, and the i-Site is brilliantly positioned. We know it’s a big plus for Te Awamutu … we just need to make sure it stays here.”
Te Awamutu i-Site general manager Harriet Dixon hopes the upcoming fair will be a winning fundraiser for the centre. Photo: Viv Posselt
