Highfield Donkeys Incorporated Society recently held their second Annual General Meeting at the Mahurangi East Community Centre. Everyone agreed that it has been another amazing year in caring for the donkeys at Highfleid, all made possible by our members, their help and generosity.The Societyʼs president Mr Peter Couling noted that for a small group we have a large heart. Our achievements included the ongoing care of the donkeys, the historic MOU document signing and our Christmas function.Special mention for their help went to the AIM young people, who regularly help on Tuesday mornings along with our Donkey Managers Mr Peter Caccia-Birch and Mr John Montgomerie.The Society appreciates the financial support given by Auckland Council through our Local Board, along with the interest and help from their Staff. Mr Ray Harrison our Treasurer, presented his report and has recommended that we continue our $10 subscription perhousehold again for 2014/15. (A renewal form is printed on the back of this newsletter).

" . "        "" " Highfield Donkeys Inc SocietyCommittee." " " " " Chairman: Peter Couling! Ph:425-5766! ! ! ! Roberts Family Representative:! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !Secretary: Helen Whiteley Ph:425-5516" " " " Jenny van der Mespel Ph:425-6000Treasurer: Mr Ray Harrison Ph:425-6101 Project Manager:Alan Ford Ph:425-5061Donkey Manager: Peter Caccia-Birch Ph:425-6640 Facilitaor: Sheila FordAsst. Donkey Manager: John Montgomerie Ph425-8808 Newsletter: Shona Duncan Ph:425-6129Membership: Lesley Cornwell Ph:425-4050

Annual Membership $10 per family. All correspondence to: Secretary, Highfield Donkey Inc Society. 483 Mahurangi East Road, Algies Bay 0920, Rodney

Speaker for the day was our own compassionate and talented Vet Mr Ross Lynch, who has practiced in Warkworth for 29 years - as he says, ʻthatʼs how long he has known the donkeysʼ! Ross grew up in the Waikato area and trained at Palmerston North. He spent 6 years away from his profession, taking time out to enjoy sailing and yacht racing in various parts of the world. Ross enjoys meeting his clients, is thankful for the education and knowledge of todays talented farmers, vaccination schemes and advancing technology, he is very wary of throw away needles which can be very dangerous. In his thanks to Ross, Peter Caccia-Birch noted that the professional back-up from Ross is essential for the well-being of the donkeys and Ross replied that he is pleased to support the gift that Alison and Ted gave to us all.

 The Bray .... from Peter Caccia-Birch, Donkey Manager." All five donkeys are sound in wind and limb, and in very good condition. " They are being fed a portion of hay each morning.          " Tanzy, rising 20 now, is getting extra supplement (Coolade). She is " starting to moult (so Spring must be in the air)!          " This is a normal process with all donkeys from now to summer. Some " go into patches like Tanzy (This is Not Mange)           " Others, new hair comes through naturally. Grooming assists the " donkeys coats to remain healthy by stimulating blood "flow to the " surface of the skin, removing the dead hair.           " My back isnʼt what it used to be and we have had the farrier in to trim" the donkeysʼ hooves and treat seedie toe.

Donkey SerenadeNewsletter No 12 August 2014

! ! ! NB adddress: 483 Mahurangi East Road, Algies Bay 0929

"Highfield Donkeys Incorporated Society

Annual Membership Application$10 per household (2014-2015

Post/deliver to L. Cornwell Membership Secretary, Highfield Donkeys Incorporated, " " " " " " " 483 Mahurangi East Road, Algies Bay 0929, NZEnclosing your cheque payable to:

" " •Highfield Donkeys Incorporated or1" " •Direct credit ASB 12-3095 0254516 16-00

(Please ensure you reference the credit with your name and Telephone No.)

Name/s …………………………………………………………………………..............

Contact Address ……………………………………………......................" Post Code………

Telephone………………………… Mobile …………………………………….

Email …………………………………………………........................................I would like to participate as a volunteer. My preference would be:

• Hands on help with the care and management of the donkeys.• Help with administration• Specific fund raising or other projects or activities from time to time• No preference• Printing facility for newsletters and leaflets

Please indicate your preference for receiving notices, minutes of meetings and another information including copies of newsletters.

•Email" " •Hand " " •Post"" "

Signature …………………………………………………………………………

Hot Gossip! Heard on the grapevine.........Father Christmas has accepted our invitation to attend a Christmas function at Highfield - date TBA.And.....one of the donkeys is looking rather round!

Committee Update• collecting the subscriptions for this year.• administration for the organisation.

• working with Highfield Garden Reserve Advisory Committee to write a document that will be part of their Management Plan for the donkeys. This will in time be presented to our Local Board for approval.

• thinking of how we can share Christmas festivities with our Community.• donkey well being/care And as always, thank you for the carrots, apples and silverbeet and for keeping the gates closed.

......................................................................................................................................................

Centenary Poppy Project. Seeds may be sown from the end of August, perhaps at two weekly intervals.To have the poppies ready for ANZAC, they must be deadheaded to keep them flowering till April. If the Flanders Poppy seed is unavailable, the variety Ladybird from the nurseries is almost identical.