Do you have a love of the stars? Are you keen on learning more about astronomy?
The local astronomical society is needing passionate and dedicated people to help run a range of interesting events at Tauranga's observatory.
Due to its unobtrusive design with a flat sliding roof, instead of the more familiar dome, many people don't realise the observatory is tucked away inside the Otūmoetai Sports and Recreation Club building at Fergusson Park, Matua.
Tauranga Astronomical Society president David Greig says they previously had a large pool of available and able-bodied volunteers to help with the many activities run by the society.
'Unfortunately, over the last three years, mainly due to age, health and people moving away, our valuable team has been seriously depleted.
'We have a fantastic core team of very dedicated people but most of us have various physical and health challenges that make our efforts increasingly difficult.
'We desperately need more volunteers to help us spread the load so that our remaining good keen volunteers don't burn out – myself included.”
David is currently the only person who feels capable to present their programmes, including the ‘Astronomy 101' programme for visiting children.
'The busiest time of the year for us is between June to the end of September when we have numerous bookings from schools, home-school groups, Scouts, Cubs, Keas, Sea Scouts, various social clubs, kindergartens and also the occasional retirement village.
'These bookings are vitally important to us as they provide much-needed income to help us cover our operating costs and to help with making improvements to the observatory and equipment.”
The society also has regular night meetings, and run public viewing nights when the Moon is good for viewing. 'These nights are usually very well attended.”
David has been dealing with a long-term health condition – ME/CFS – Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – which he says takes its toll on him quite severely after each meeting and booking session.
As such he's reluctant to confirm too many bookings until he has enough helpers available.
'There are a number of tasks and roles that we need help with. Everything from putting out chairs through to setting up and operating telescopes. The audio-visual equipment needs to be set up for each meeting. We can use some more help in the kitchen with serving tea and coffee and with washing up afterwards. There are many other tasks in between that all need people to do them, instead of it always coming down to the same dedicated few every night.”
He says people don't need formal teacher training, just an enthusiasm for sharing astronomy with others.
The next TAS meeting, at 7.30pm Tuesday, June 13, at the club building is also the AGM, and will include a live presentation Tauranga Astronomical Society's history.
Annual society membership is $40 per adult, $50 per family, $20 for tertiary students. Under-16s are free.
To learn more, see: www.tas.org.nz or the TAS Facebook page or email: tas.secretary@gmail.com