05 December 2025
The Volunteering Duo
Masterton Primary School has long been a breakfast haven for its students, and since joining the KickStart Breakfast whānau in 2011, the school has continued its proud tradition of nurturing tamariki with the most important meal of the day. But long before our official programme rolled out, Masterton Primary was already ahead of the curve, ensuring hungry tummies were filled and students could start their day right.
Recently, while visiting schools in the beautiful Wairarapa, Relationship Manager, Ross Hamilton, learnt about a special pair making Friday mornings at Masterton Primary unforgettable – Anne and Nobby.
Ross shares, "Although I wasn’t in town on a Friday and missed meeting them in person, their reputation preceded them. Some texts and a phone call later, I finally caught up with them. Laughter filled our conversation, making it easy to imagine the fun and warmth they bring to the breakfast table every week."
Anne and Nobby moved to Masterton back in 2009, following Nobby’s retirement from a military career that began when he was just 16. Not ones to rest on their laurels, the couple quickly found a new calling in their community. In 2010, alongside friends from their local St James Union Church, they began volunteering at Masterton Primary School’s breakfast club. Since then, they have become part of the ‘furniture’ – reliable, familiar, and well-loved fixtures every Friday morning.
In the early days, breakfast might have been whatever was on hand – anything from toast to cereal. Today, with support from the KickStart Breakfast programme, milk and Weet-Bix have become staples. Through all the changes, one comforting constant remains: every Friday, it’s Anne and Nobby who welcome the children.
Rain or shine, the pair are up early and organised, making their 12km drive into town so they are setting up by 8am. With the school gates opening at 8:15, breakfast is served for the next half hour, and on some mornings up to 25 students join in. It’s not just about full bellies though. Anne and Nobby create a space filled with smiles, good manners, and caring conversations. They know that sometimes listening carefully can make all the difference in a child’s day.
Nobby adds just a sprinkle of sugar to taste, with the recent switch to raw sugar being another small step toward keeping things healthier for everyone
Thank you, Anne and Nobby, for your many years of love, laughter, and dedication. Here’s to many more happy years of volunteering and memorable Friday mornings at Masterton Primary!