Todd Talks By Todd Muller

There is something nostalgically enduring about school fairs. Perhaps it is the core of parent and service club volunteers who spend hundreds of hours planning, allocating jobs, building stalls, preparing supplies, running the day then helping with the clean-up.

Perhaps it's the array of clothes, books, food, preserves and games on offer that take you back to a time less cluttered and more simple. I spent a bit of time at my old school Te Puna and its fair last weekend.

I reminisced with locals who could remember when I was the skinny boy, who would get thumped at bullrush on the lower field, while sitting on hay bales and sipping coffee.

I met a couple who had just moved to the area and were stunned by the warmth of the community welcome, even though they knew no one

I said G'day to a principal who knew every family by name and is proud of his school's record. I wished the local Lions club all the best for their quick fire raffle where a decent-sized chook was first up.

As I left I was met with a streaming flow of families wandering in. There was a relaxed vibe, lots of laughter. You know I think school fairs seem to bring the best out of us. This week its Omokoroa Point School's turn – and I hope to see you there.