After two years of volunteering in the Dunedin area, Jeremy is starting to feel like a VIP around town. In the past two months, he was invited to three different special events designed to reward volunteers for their efforts.
In July, Jeremy and his partner of choice were invited to attend a musical performance at Dunedin's historic Regent Theatre. For the last year, Jeremy has helped organize, sort, and transport hundreds of books for the annual book sale, which routinely raises thousands of dollars to preserve this aging city icon.
All book sale volunteers were invited to the special evening called "Music of the Knight," which featured a collage of pieces from Andrew Lloyd Webber's popular musicals. Incidentally, this was also our first date since the birth of Baby Kaaj. My Mom flew all the way from DC to babysit.
Outside the Regent
Dramatic interior
Next, Jeremy was invited to a VIP evening at nearby Orokonui Ecosanctuary to kick off a temporary exhibit for Sirocco the Kakapo. Sirocco was brought to Dunedin to go on display for the many tourists in town for Rugby World Cup 2011. Jeremy had put in hard labor hours to help build Sirocco's display pen.
VIP visitors get a first look at
Sirocco's completed pen
Sirocco ambles by
Lastly, Jeremy, Kaaj, and I were invited to the annual conservation awards ceremony hosted by Department of Conservation. Nice people walked around and served us tasty hors d'oeuvres from platters, and then we listened to some shorts talks and award presentations.
Jeremy was particularly excited about one young local school girl--nominated as an award finalist in recognition of her scientific observations conducted at nearby Sandfly Bay Beach. She determined that visiting tourists disturbed the penguins 58% of the time. Jeremy--who helped warden at this beach last summer--heartily agreed.
Beck Family at the awards ceremony
