Over seventy invited diners filled the Roquette Restaurant on Quay Street for the EBCF Annual Dinner, to welcome and absorb the wisdom of speaker Greg Brownless QSM (Current Mayor of Tauranga)  when he shared his personal stories of the aftermath of the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami that devastated many of the South East Asian coastline communities of Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka . He spoke of his extensive experience in the funeral industry and how this, together with a few Thai language skills, enabled him to step up and provide much needed voluntary help at a crucial time in Phuket, which seemingly bore the brunt of the  tsunami. Much of Gregs time was spent matching and repatriating those who perished back to their home countries. Interesting to note that over 900 who perished were from Sweden. 

Committed to making a difference to others has been the lifetime goal of Mayor Greg Brownless. He founded the Legacy Charitable Trust, which has gifted over $3 million dollars back into Western Bay communities since its inception, after setting up the Legacy Funeral home and structuring the business model to benefit the community. Greg has since ensured that the business will continue to benefit the wider community by provision of a bequest to the Acorn Foundation ( our sister foundation based in Tauranga), so this becomes a gift that keeps on giving. 

Whilst civic duties have a big call on his time at present, Greg is also a well known thespian and participant in musical theatre and performance in the Bay of Plenty. Greg shared that he is hoping to step out onto the stage again later this year in a role he has coveted for some years. 

His personal philanthropy has enabled others to achieve goals, and has supported those tireless volunteers and their organisations who work to provide essential care and support to those who need a hand up in the Western Bay.

All attendees agreed that the evening was an inspiration, Greg concluded by challenging those present to look to the future and grow the legacy of the Eastern Bay Community Foundation.

Together we can do more. 

Our special thanks to Roquette staff and management for a delicious dinner, and superb service. 

To Secret Lake Farmstay for the gift of a weekend for two and to those who contributed to make the evening the success that it was.