Student Volunteer Army lends a hand at Waihī Beach

The Student Volunteer Army rolled into town this week and rolled up their sleeves to help flood affected businesses at Waihī Beach.

Five student volunteers from the University of Waikato branch spent a day helping move flood-damaged appliances and gym equipment from the Surf Shack Eatery and Victoria Lemon Transform Today gym next door.

Kurt Waugh, Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s Community Resilience Advisor, who helped coordinate the day, says it was inspiring to see the students helping with the recovery efforts.

"It was great to see the volunteers travel over from Hamilton to help out. They worked alongside some locals to move some pretty heavy, bulky items - it certainly needed a team of people to do it,” says Kurt.

“Everyone worked hard. I was really impressed with how it came together and how amazing the student volunteers were.”

The students - Zoe Wakefield, Kylo O’Toole, Alex Johnson, Samantha Pemberton and Isaiah Dougherty – worked with staff from the two businesses to load around 18 flood-damaged appliances onto trucks and trailers, along with barbels and exercise machines, so they could be taken to the Waihī Transfer Station.

Surf Shack Eatery owner Pip Coombes, gave “big ups” to the student volunteers.

“It was all hands on deck. Between the students, our staff and Kurt, we got all the really heavy stuff out,” she says.

“It was really nice to meet the students and talk to them. They did hard mahi on the day and I really appreciate what they have done.”

Gym owner Victoria Lemon was equally appreciative.

“The five of them were very enthusiastic and did the best they could to lift very heavy equipment and machinery,” she says.

Student Isaiah Dougherty, who is originally from Tauranga, says he “just wanted to lend a hand”.

“I saw what was happening at the Mount, and with all the floods, and thought I’d do my small part. It was great – we hauled some fridges and equipment and helped some lovely people out. It made me feel useful to make other people’s lives easier.”

Zac Isaac, Co-president of the Student Volunteer Army - University of Waikato, says volunteering is a great way to give back to the community.

“People who sign up don’t tend to be people who are just doing it for their CV - they are people who are committed and genuinely interested in helping people.

“We saw what was going on and some of us are from the Bay of Plenty, so it was close to our hearts. We wanted to help.”