Sue Peat stands down as EPIC Te Puke chairwoman

Sue Peat is standing down as EPIC Te Puke chairwoman.

It's time for new blood at the helm for EPIC Te Puke.

The organisation's chairwoman Sue Peat stood down at last week's AGM and her replacement has yet to be named.

Sue was chairwoman for four years and had sat on the committee since its inception.

While she intends to remain on the committee, she says she feels a new face is needed at the top.

''I think every organisation needs fresh blood injected into it,'' she says. ''So really it's just organisations need fresh ideas and it would be great to get some other people involved. It's time for a fresh touch to come in.''

EPIC is Te Puke's promotions and events group and Sue says the events that have been created, especially the Halloween Treat Trail and Easter Trail, have been among the highlights.

''The events are something we have started getting a reputation for,'' she says.

Also during Sue's tenure, the organisation introduced EPIC dollars and took over the running of Te Puke's Christmas Float Parade.

''The [recent] spring clean was also so successful, and it was so cool to be able to collaborate with other organisations. We are a small town and that's what we should be doing.''

Covid-19 has impacted on the organisation.

''But [marketing manager] Rebecca [Larsen] has done a fantastic job. It's been challenging, but everything she's done has turned to gold really and been very, very successful. We've been very fortunate.''

Rebecca says Sue deserves thanks for her leadership and reliability.

''She's very dedicated and passionate about helping the town and promoting the events that make it such a great place to live.''

Also at the meeting Karen McLaren stood down from the committee.

Karen joined because of her involvement in the Boomerang Bags initiative.

''That was something we took on when everyone else was wanting to get away from bags, but now there are many more options and [Boomerang Bags] have gone a little bit by the wayside,'' says Sue.

''[Karen] was really good at supporting that [initiative] and put in a lot of hours into doing it,'' says Rebecca.

Rebecca says the committee is positive about picking things up post Covid-19.

''I'd like to say to anyone from the town who's interested in joining us should contact me. It's for anyone who's interested in events and promotion and meeting some friendly people.''

The committee also has a new secretary - Katherine Morris.

''She's bubbly and enthusiastic and that's exactly what we need in our team,'' says Rebecca.

The committee meets once a month.