As I write this editorial, I am in Arrowtown as we are just completing a significant event signage project for the New Zealand Open Golf Tournament at Millbrook Resort. This is the first time our Benefitz team has been involved in producing, supplying, and installing signage for the iconic event. 2024 is the One hundred and third time the New Zealand Open has been held.
Channel Magazine never stops though, so in conjunction with the rest of the team back on the sunny North Shore, I have also been working remotely to ensure our 150th issue is a good one. And it is. Once again over 100 pages, celebrating a range of positive things happening north of the harbour bridge.
We have supported Sarah Dann-Hoare’s Project Employ initiative ever since it was a concept. So, we thought it timely to have a catch-up with Sarah as this initiative starts to get real traction with the training facility, Flourish Café, well established in Takapuna, and opening a second site at the Air New Zealand HQ. Sarah features on our cover.
As the cover also features, this is our 'Creative Issue', with a focus on creatives, arts and entertainment. We love our creatives – they all add a great deal to the North Shore community. Christine Young has done a very good interview with arts enthusiast, performer, producer/presenter and broadcaster Braydon Priest, who is steering Phoenix Theatre back to life after a hiatus of several years. We also talk to creative shore folk in our monthly Q&A feature.
As many will know I have enjoyed a close association with the North Harbour Club for most of the (almost) 30 years it has been in existence, as a member, a trustee, serving as president, and proudly becoming a life member a couple of years ago. One job I had never done was being a judge of the AIMES Awards – the club’s annual awards for Arts, Innovation, Music, Education, Sport and Service to the Community. These go to young people aged 25 or under, who are achieving excellence in their field. For the past two years now, I have been a judge. During February, my six fellow judges and I have had the task of judging the 2024 AIMES Awards applicants. I have found it a humbling and rewarding experience, understanding the fantastic achievements of so many young locals. The neat thing for the North Harbour Club is that three of our judges are previous winners. One is judging chair Andrew MacDonald who does a fantastic job each year in steering the process of taking close to 200 applications and finding 20-or-so recipients. The winners will be announced at the AIMES Awards Gala Dinner on 7 June.
Enjoy your 150th edition of Channel Mag. Have a great March!
Aidan Bennett, QSM
Publisher – Channel Magazine
Managing Director – Benefitz
aidan@benefitz.co.nz
