Aunty Bea welcomes and farewells airport visitors

By Whare Akuhata | Tuesday, October 4, 2011 9:59 1 Comment

WELCOME PARTY: Aunty Bea with volunteers Sue Bedford (from left), Mary Tuck, June Jefford and Rotorua District Council workforce manager Amanda Hohneck. Missing was Sally French.PHOTO/ANDREW WARNER 280911AW6

Aunty Bea - Beatrice Yates - was out at Rotorua Airport with Rugby World Cup volunteers welcoming and farewelling visitors.

She said it was absolutely wonderful to see how good it made people feel.

"It was a special welcome for our bubbly, sparkly thermal city."

Aunty Bea didn't restrict the warm welcome to RWC visitors. She made everyone feel welcome and had numerous photographs taken with visitors.

The highlight was the departure of the Irish team where Aunty Bea sang a couple of farewell songs. In reply, an Irish player sang for Aunty Bea and presented her with her decorated guitar strap.