She may be slight in stature but Angela Williams is certainly big in heart – working tirelessly behind the scenes with no fewer than three volunteer organisations at the core of the Raglan community.
“Angela gives so much in terms of voluntary time,” says Whaingaroa ward councillor Lisa Thomson, who admits to having been tempted on occasion to dub her the unofficial mayor of Raglan. “She’s involved in so many things that people are probably unaware of.”
Read more: No keeping tireless volunteer from behind-the-scenes roles.While both a board member and treasurer at the local ihub Information Centre, for instance, she’s also taken on a central role in stocking the attached shop and liaising with the craftspeople who keep it ticking over with an impressive array of locally made products.
Then there’s the Raglan Business Chamber – where this now nearly 70 year old has been treasurer for 15 years – and Raglan Arts Council where she’s served as the minutes secretary for a similar period.
Ever since she and hubby Eric have lived in town, in fact. They retired to Raglan after selling their own business in Frankton, one where Angela of course was the office manager.
“I’ve always done money,” she told the Chronicle. “I like basic book-keeping.”
Angela reckons she’s volunteered her whole life really, starting from age 17 or so on first becoming treasurer of her local hockey club.
But despite being finance-minded Angela also loves people: talking to them, organising and communicating.
“And I like to be busy,” she adds. “Volunteering gets me out of the house, I learn things and I meet very different people across all three organisations.”
Raglan ihub for instance has about 30 volunteers to call on to staff the information desk and shop, and to handle entry to the museum.
It operates under the umbrella of the wider Destination Management Organisation (DMO) which worked for two years to come up with this “community-led initiative”, Angela reveals. And it’s not just about visitor management and growth of the town, she insists – the ihub showcases what Raglan has to offer in terms of local artisans and businesses.
“I am completely surprised at the creativity and range of products now available,” she says.
It features the work of four different wood-turners, for example, with items ranging from swamp kauri boards to the likes of coffee tables. “Beautifully crafted and reasonably priced.”
Raglan Salt has also added its products to the eclectic mix of ihub wares, as has Future Farms which now has a lock-box outside full of organically grown avocados from Te Mata.
Angela deals with the communication and advertising involved in this not-for-profit organisation, plus grants, and generally ensures that “we meet our operating costs”.
Meanwhile Raglan’s business chamber is “a lovely group to be with”, says Angela, forever dealing with the reality of soaring rates, rents and insurances while striving to keep the town’s various businesses viable.
The Arts Council too is “such a wonderful enterprise”, she enthuses. It promotes Raglan Arts Weekend (RAW), the film festival, the clay shed, the biennial Art To Wear extravaganza and much more. Angela also volunteers on the door for movie screenings at the Old School, because she enjoys meeting people – visitors and locals alike.
It’s amazing what these three organisations collectively achieve, she insists. “Raglan is such a wonderful town of volunteers.”
