The existing Wangapeka Elders (Tarchin, Mary, Bonni, Matthew, Shelley S, Keith, Mark) have anointed two new Elders to our community – Jane Hobday and Graham Sandlant.
What is an Elder? This is an excerpt from our website, penned by Tarchin Hearn :
“In any viable community there will always be elders – ones with more experience. There will always be neophytes or youngsters, and of course, everyone in between. Perhaps we could call them middlers. New inexperienced participants are constantly arriving. Filled with hopes and aspirations they will have a limited appreciation for the wide spread collaborative nature of the Trust. Middlers – the ones that stay longer – will have a broader appreciation that has arisen through their experience of directly participating as student, builder, organiser, teacher and so forth. Elders are simply those that have devoted sufficient years of exploration to many of the facets necessary for the existence of the Trust to give them an easeful, confident overview of where the organism is coming from (its history), where it is going to (its aims and aspirations), and how it fits into the the wider community of the world (keeping its work relevant and true to its principles).
The Wangapeka Trust Elders (are) widely respected community members whose presence and experience help keep alive and fresh, the grounded, vast, vibrant vision which birthed and continues to nourish the Trust and Centre.”
With this in mind, we extend our gratitude, appreciation and welcome to both Jane and Graham into the circle of Elders. Both these beings have been engaged in offering to the centre for decades, and we look forward to their continued involvement as they deepen into their belonging and contribution to the Wangapeka community.
Sarva Mangalam!