Sweet Success

March 10th, 2016

Local Adelaide Hills volunteer group the Kiwanis Club continues to go out of their way to help the community, working hard to raise money for children and families in need with their annual honey fundraiser.

Formed in 1990 the club is one of 20 groups in South Australia working hard to make a difference to children and families in need.

Over the years the club has made a huge impact to families doing it tough, regularly raising money for deserving causes and projects within the community.

Named after an American Indian expression, Kiwanis means “we trade” or “we share our talents” it is the perfect title for the group that constantly goes out of their way to support the community.

Recently the club helped a disabled boy in the community make the move to Tasmania to live with his aunt after the passing of his father to a terminal illness.

They also came together to raise funds to purchase a tricycle for a disabled man struggling to afford one himself.

Fund-raising manager and former president of the club Mike Page said the group is very passionate about helping people in the community and are always happy to help out those in need.

“It is a pretty satisfying thing to be involved with and it is great to see everyone come together to help those who don't have the ability to support themselves.

“This could be purchasing mobility devices for people with disabilities, helping children who are in difficult family situations, raising money for heart foundation Heart Kids or helping with funding for children to attend interstate sports competitions.

“We are a community based group so the majority of the money raised goes to helping people in the local area.

“Each year 70 per cent of the money raised is distributed locally, 20 per cent nationally and 10 per cent internationally.”

Being involved with the club is a love of Mike's and something he will continue on with for many years.

“After the kids we have sponsored return from their sporting trip all we ask is for them to come have dinner with us and tell about about their time away,” he said.

“It is a very rewarding experience and dam good fun!,” Mike said.

“I will be moving into the city soon but will continue to work with the Hills group as that's where my commitment has been for the past 16 years.”



With the help of Mike and his contacts in the honey industry in Kangaroo Island the group will be selling delicious Kangaroo Island Pure Sugar Gum Honey for just $10 a kilo around the Hills to continue supporting the community.

“Lots of schools and clubs have chocolate drives so I thought why not pick something that has an overall good health benefit and still tastes delicious,” he said.

“The pure raw honey isn't available in supermarkets and all money raised will go towards helping those in need.”

Treasurer of the club Annie Bainger has been involved with the club for around seven years and said this annual fundraiser is a great way for the community to support each other while enjoying some of the best honey in the world.

“Most of the honey will be sold through schools in the area, so parents can easily purchase it or find details about the club when picking up their kids from school,” she said.

“Kangaroo Island has the best honey and they are getting it at a discounted price – it is usually sold at around $16.50 a kilo on Kangaroo Island, so it is a real bargain.”

“So far we have raised around $1,000 which is a great start to the year – hopefully we will get to the $5,000 mark as we did last year.”

The group of service minded men and women of all ages also support local children's leadership programs the K Kids Club of Mount Barker and community service and social group for adults with an intellectual disability The Hills Aktion Club.

If you are interested in volunteering for the club or becoming a member contact Mike on 0413 053 499.

To purchase a tub of the delicious Kangaroo Island honey contact Annie on 0422 907 108 or email her at annie.bainger384@schools.sa.edu.au

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