The Dennes Boys Vaka Eiva crew from Australia has generously donated stationery supplies, sports equipment and t-shirts to Apii Takitumu in Matavera.

The crew and their families were warmly welcomed to the school by a welcoming pe’e (chant), ei and light refreshments on Thursday morning.

The donation aimed to support local students by providing essential stationary supplies and resources to encourage a healthy and active lifestyle.

Apii Takitumu principal Maui Joseph said: “We are very blessed to receive stationery and resources from these paddlers who have generously given back to our small community.”

Former Apii Takitumu principal, Carly Ave was also part of the visiting team to the school and was proud and delighted to see her former students and teachers again.

Dennes Boys is a crew of paddlers from various Queensland clubs. They have teamed up to travel to Rarotonga for the 2024 Vaka Eiva and race in the memory of their dear friend Denne Bourke, a former Rarotonga resident, who tragically went missing in May last year while paddling between islands in the Torres Strait.

Apii Takitumu teacher Renall Vogel has connections to Dennes Boys crew through his older brother Beal Vogel Beal.

On behalf of the crew, Beal thanked the school staff and students for their wonderful welcome and hospitality.

He said they participated in Vaka Eiva, which concluded yesterday, in memory of and to commemorate Bourke.

On Wednesday, the crew had an emotional victory in the marathon V6 12km race.  

Bourke lived with his partner, Cook Islander Georgia Langdon Bourke in Rarotonga for a number of years while she worked as a fisheries officer at the Ministry of Marine Resources, and he managed the Reefside Café.

Both were avid paddlers, Bourke with Ngakau Toa Vaka and Georgia with Te Tupu O Te Manava.

Georgia and their baby Kiva have both made the trip to Rarotonga for Vaka Eiva.