October 2025 update
Kia Ora & Welcome,
A timely reminder that the Jassy Dean Trust Spring Plant Sale is coming up on Sunday, 9th November between 10am-4pm at the Sufdale Community Hall. This is chance for us to come together, celebrate the spring, and raise funds for the year ahead. THANK YOU to all who have volunteered for the day. We simply couldn’t do this without you!
And we certainly couldn’t do it without our gardeners! Once again, we'd like to acknowledge Ngaio Lewis and the endless contribution she makes to the Trust with her superb plants! Thanks also to the Waiheke Garden Club for generously contributing treasures from their own gardens, along with contributions from many of the garden owners from previous garden festivals. THANK YOU ALL.
There will be some very special and unusual plants on sale…so although we will have EFTPOS… do make things easy by bringing along your gold coins, $5 and $10 notes! Maybe bring a bag /box to carry your ‘loot’ as well.
A special mention and thank you to ANDREW MALOY. Andrew is a retired horticulturalist and over the past few months, has been supplying Ngaio with his very beautiful, prickle-free Bromeliads (pictured right), with proceeds from all sales going to Jassy Dean. These will be available at the Plant Sale. Andrew and his late wife had a special interest in bromeliads, and they bred and grew them for years. Andrew will be there on the day and is happy to advise on how to get the best out of these exotic beauties.
First Copies of KORO THE KIWI – a delightful new children’s book written by Waiheke local Jane Parlane will be on display. Jane has written and published this book and is generously donating all proceeds to the Jassy Dean Trust for the children of Waiheke Island. The book has been charmingly illustrated by well-known artist Gill Hay.
The story follows eight-year-old Ruby, who lives by the sea on Waiheke. When illness keeps her home from school, she begins to notice the native birds in the bush around her cottage. One night, she hears a mysterious call — could it really be a kiwi?
It’s a gentle, uplifting tale for 3–9-year-olds that celebrates family, curiosity, and the magic of New Zealand’s native wildlife. The story also connects beautifully with the recent release of 10 kiwi on Waiheke Island in May of this year.
The book will arrive in the country next month, and we will host a public book launch at Waiheke Library on Sunday, 23 November (more details to follow). There are limited numbers available at the Plant Sale, but this is the perfect opportunity to view and pre-buy a copy before it appears in the shops.
WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE DAY
* Placemakers Gardening Raffle - be in to win a wheelbarrow of garden goodies, valued at over $1000, donated by the ever-generous PlaceMakers and their suppliers – thank you! Tickets are only $5 each or $20 for 5. The raffle will be drawn at 3.45pm and the winner will be notified by phone.
* Morning and afternoon tea will be available, and we're delighted to have Tom and Janie Ratcliff and their new coffee cart making fresh brews with all proceeds going to the Trust.
* Waiheke Island Toy Library, keep the kids entertained while you browse!
* Garden Art & Craft, from local artists, including sculptures from Belinda Fabris. (see image).
* Preloved garden, cook, and coffee table books – all in excellent nick!
* Market stalls, including Lyndsey Champion's wonderful hats.
* Jassy Dean Trust Calendars and ‘Food from Jassy’s Gardens’ - our wonderful garden and recipe book written by Annie Porter.
We haven’t had a huge response to our request for ‘timeless treasures’ (it’s not too late – phone Annie 021550049), but we do have some special pieces, including some beautiful antique tea sets (pictured).
SILENT AUCTION
We have been donated a delightful Doll’s House Kit produced by the English Company, Dolls House Emporium. Called April Cottage, it is in the charming Cotswold style and features a wealth of period features. It comes assembled as a bare kit ready for painting (paints included) and decorating….what a PERFECT grandparent project just in time for Christmas!
The kit has been imported from England and is currently ‘a special’ on the company’s website at $NZ566 – down from $NZ793. We are starting bidding at $95.
We will announce the lucky winner at 3.45pm and the Doll's House Kit must be taken home at 5pm.
AND FINALLY
Thank you to everybody who saves up their aluminum wine bottle tops and delivers them to the Recovery Shop on Tahi Road. We are the lucky recipients of these recycling dollars, and the latest payment into our account was for $690. This goes a long way towards supporting a family in need…and makes it well worthwhile opening another bottle! Many thanks to the Island Waste Collective for initiating this project.
We look forward to seeing you on November 9th…Please join us for a fun day.
Until then,
Nga Mihi
From the Jassy Dean Trust
