Resource centre aims to teach work skills

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 43, 14 April 1987, Page 1

Resource centre aims to teach work skills

What started as a dream for a Raetihi couple turned into reality last week with the official opening of the Waimarino Resource Centre. The centre is the culmination of many months of hard work and struggle by Stella and D'arcy Mills and other members of the Resource Centre committee. The old milk treatment station in Ballance Street, Raetihi is the new home for the centre which aims to teach work skills to the unemployed young people of the Waimarino. It is also a base where they can take part in recreational and cultural activities. Official guests at the -

opening and unveiling of the commemmorative plaque included Pastors Bill Thompson and Henry Chase, the Reverend Bob Peck, Kaumatua Ned Tapa, Raetihi's Mayor Garrick Workman, the Waimarino's representative for the Wanganui Area Health Board Dorothy Scarrow, Principal of Raetihi School Geoff Lovegrove and Ruapehu College Principal Ian Meredith. The guest of honour was the Regional Probationary Manager for the Department of Justice, Mr Bill Emerson. Mr Emerson told the gathering that the new Resource Centre had the full support of the Department of Justice.

He said he was concerned that the Waimarino previously offered no help for unemployed teenagers, some of whom were getting themselves into trouble. Speeches and blessings by guests were conducted in both Maori and English in keeping with the spirit of the Resource Centre, which is a centre for all people. Mayor Garrick Workman bestowed the Raetihi Borough Council's approval and praised the perserverance of Mr and Mrs Mills in pursuing the project. "Make use of the facility — you have the people here to teach you the skills," he said to the young people. "Maybe you could train a few doctors at the same time?" he added.