This year, North Auckland Head Bitch (HB) Bronwyn Leak has a lot to celebrate.

Her chapter recently marked its 10th birthday with a party honouring a decade of kindness shared by Good Bitches across North Auckland.

Bronwyn works in software and IT and has been HB of her chapter since 2022. She first signed up to bake for GBB through a friend, Sarah, in 2018.

Travelling to Waiheke together, Sarah had brought the edges of an Anzac slice to share.

"She said, 'Oh, I do this baking for charity, but I didn't feel I could give them these bits!' So we got to enjoy them together. I thought, 'I could do that – all I have to do is bake!'"

A Lifetime of Baking

Bronwyn has been baking for as long as she can remember.

"I can't think of a time when I wasn't helping someone with the baking, Grandma or Mum. It's such a good way to show people you care about them by making something special. And it's something achievable."

She treasures the role baking has played throughout her life.

"It's a beautiful thing. I'm lucky to have had it."

She also loves the flexibility volunteering with GBB offers, allowing her to give her time when she can. Between a busy job, plenty of hobbies and close connections with whānau and friends, GBB fits around her life.

Small Acts, Big Impact

Bronwyn's involvement soon grew beyond baking.

"The reason I joined the committee is because I started baking and realised I had more to give. I helped with the rosters and built up from there. I love knowing we're helping people, and I like that it teaches people that giving doesn't have to be big."

"Small acts of kindness create really big momentum."

Bronwyn feels lucky to work so closely with other GBB volunteers. “Every time I meet a GB they’re good people!”

“It's a whole group of people making each week work. The committee, the box bitches, the drivers and the bakers. Everyone is important in making what we do happen.”

She's also constantly impressed by the talent within the GBB community, saying some of the best cakes she's ever seen have been made by Good Bitches.

A Party to Celebrate Volunteers

The 10th birthday party was an opportunity to celebrate all this generosity and give back to the volunteers who have given so much to the chapter.

"We had to find a way to celebrate!" Bronwyn says.

"We made it our mission to go out and get what we could to thank our volunteers."

Donated gifts poured in, with local businesses including Millie's Kitchen, Huski, Devonport Chocolates and others providing prizes and treats for North Auckland GBs.

Each member of the North Auckland committee worked hard to plan the celebration over several months.

"It was a lot of logistics,"* Bronwyn says, *"but we just divided our tasks according to our strengths and got on with it. It was great."

Around 50 people gathered at Smales Farm to share kai, chat, laugh, swap recipes and exchange kitchen equipment they no longer needed. Continuing their "circle of kindness", all the unclaimed equipment was donated to the Salvation Army op shop.

Looking to the Future

Other highlights of the year included Louise's birthday gift to the chapter – a recipe book featuring her favourite baking recipes (link) – and a box decorating competition where kids and whānau got involved to share their creativity.

"It's a beautiful community," Bronwyn says.

As for the next 10 years, Bronwyn's aspirations are simple but meaningful.

"I don't need us to be the biggest chapter," she says. "I just want us to continue making an impact and make it easier for our recipient organisations to help people."