Hall Story

”June 30 saw the end of the financial year for the “Beach Community Hall Fundraising Committee”

The committee came into existence on November 28 1984 but decided that its financial year should end in June.

Treasurer Howard Dowrick reports that at balance date, funds raised has passed the three thousand dollar mark, the result of stalls, raffles, housie and other activities organised by Mrs Stevens and her band of helpers.

At the present time Mrs Stevens says that Tuesday night housie at the Surf Club is the principle activity. While the numbers are satisfactory, funds and prizes would benefit from a larger attendance. She hopes therefore it would be possible to attract more patrons.

The question of the hall site is still undecided. The Community Council considers that there are two alternatives. Broadlands near the Primary School and the school section itself, but the decision is one for residents to decide.

Public reaction to the suggestion for Wilson Park was so vehement that it is not considered likely that such a scheme will be aired again.

A public meeting to discuss the site with the County has been called for September 4, 1985”

The Waihi Beach Community Centre came into existence because of the vision of a small group. Funds in the hundreds of thousands dollars were raised by the community with one trust member even putting their farm up as collateral.

Eileen Stevens, after whom the supper room is named, was one of the key stalewarts of the project.

This was a community driven project. The community own the hall.

The ceremony was a fine celebration. There was a fly-over of aeroplanes from the Waihi Beach Airstrip and karakia and waiata by Maori from Otawhiwhi. Salvation Army Captain Peter Gill provided a dedication to the building, and others who had been part of the project spoke.

Owing to the reorganisation of local Government in 1989 Waihi Beach changed Councils during the project. The first stage of the project was under the Ohinemuri County who were thanked for their initial advice and contribution to the funds. The final stage of the project was under Western Bay of Plenty District Council who were also thanked for their contributions to the funds and wonderful finishing of the project.

When the loan was repaid to Trust Bank the hall took on the name of the replacement sponsors Westpac. When that sponsorship expired it reverted back to it’s original name of the Waihi Beach Community Centre.

The roof had to be redesigned to suit the new shape of the building.

Heather Robinson and Doreen Mudgeway were the first to take their Playcentre Training and become foundation supervisors of the sessions.