Ohakune's 'birthday' meeting

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 6, 2 July 1985, Page 21

Ohakune's 'birthday' meeting

Members of Ohakune Borough Council and representatives of the town's organisations and clubs agreed on Monday to form a working committee to organise the borough's 75th anniversary activities.

The comrnittee will be convened by Cr Margaret Horne, with members being drawn from as many organisations in the community as possible. Members of the committee will meet every six weeks until nearer to the time the celebrations will be staged (possibly the last two weeks of February 1987) and will then meet more often. The actual date of the anniversary is 5th December 1986, but at an earlier meeting held to begin organising the celebrations, it was decided the second half of February 1987 would be a more suitable time to mark the anniversary, as December would be a busy time in the town. At Monday's meeting, principal of Ruapehu College, Mr Michael Warbrick, said the college would like to host an event for senior citizens during the celebrations. Later in the year, in May, the college could dedicate a theatrical production to the jubilee.

Mr Warbrick also volunteered the services of college pupils to help decorate the town for the celebrations. Vivienne Bidwell, representing Ohakune's Nam Wah Pai Kung Fu Club, said club members were willing to do a series of demonstrations and would also help with fund-raising. A representative of Waimarino Brass Band said the band would be interested in playing in an anniversary parade. Mr George Murdie, representing the Waimarino Red Cross, said the organisation would be available for any medical needs and would be willing to provide a float for the parade. Coincidentajly, next year will be the 50th anniversary for the Waimarino Red Cross. A variety concert was suggested by Cr Margaret Horne.

"There is a wealth of talent in the community and it only needs a little bit of encouragement," she said. M r Tom Brummer, recently retired president of Ohakune's Rotary Club, said Rotarians would assist with any organisational activities which required to be done. Representing the Growers' Association, Mr Frank Taylor said his members were prepared to prepare a number of floats for a parade and help with anything else which was asked of them. Mayor Taylor said that as well as the assistance of many community groups in Ohakune, he has also been offered the assistance of a Navy band for the celebrations.. Mr Max Martin, Ohakune's fire chief, commented, "The only thing missing at this stage is input from the commercial sector. "Although the jubilee is a community-orientated event," he said, "the commercial sector has to be part of the celebrations."