End of an era for Flaxmere Heroes Calendar
The Flaxmere Heroes Calendar may be a casualty of Covid-19, but founder Henare O’Keefe is determined to fill the void with something else.
For ten years, the Flaxmere Heroes calendar has been a beacon of light for a suburb often stigmatised, with more than 120 of Flaxmere’s finest recognised.
It was born out of the 2008 hikoi organised by O'Keefe, after a spate of violence in the suburb.
However, with principal sponsor Totara Health cutting ties after nine-years due to financial reasons, the calendar is unable to be produced.
General Manager Shane Gorst said Covid-19 had brought a high level of uncertainty and made them make some tough decisions around what they were supporting in the community.
“It was a tough decision to make for us because we have supported that particular initiative for a long time but just the level of uncertainty really put us in a position where we had to make some tough calls.”
Gorst said they have not considered re-sponsoring the calendar in the future.
“I mean we have thoroughly enjoyed supporting Henare in that initiative I mean it has had a huge amount of benefit for the community.
“We are actively looking at other ways we can continue to support the Flaxmere community in particular but haven’t considered re-sponsoring that particular initiative.”
O’Keefe, a longstanding Hastings District Councillor and ambassador, said he is “very disappointed” it has come to an end but understands the reason why.
He thanked Totara Health, in particular Managing Director Howard Dickson, for their support.
“They were marvellous the fact that we lasted that long.”
He says it is the beginning of a “new era” for the suburb.
“I am determined to have something to replace it. If not, a calendar I would like to replace it with something. What that looks like I don’t quite know.”
Flaxmere Person of the Year does appeal to him.
“That appeals to me and by golly, it would put the judges in a very demanding and difficult situation. How do you choose one person, but I think that is exciting.”
But regardless of what the new instalment is, O’Keefe says he would like to think there will be something this year.
“The calendar lifted the spirits of our Flaxmere people and showed not only them but the region and the country of what they were capable of.”
The fact that every home in Flaxmere received an annual calendar free-of-charge and hand-delivered by residents was a “blessing”.
He said it was not a matter of who to include, but rather who to leave out.
“The calendar unearthed some outstanding organisations and individuals who you ordinarily wouldn’t get to hear about and highlighted who they are and what they did.”
