A Turua resident is in search of memorabilia and stories, as plans take shape to celebrate 100 years of the rural village’s community hall.
The Turua Hall Centenary on September 26 is set to be a social affair, with a full afternoon of activities.
The afternoon will kick off with a parade of vintage cars and period costumes, stopping at significant sites within the village including the native kahikatea stand behind Turua Domain, the boat ramp, and Turua School.
Next up is a presentation on the history of the hall, followed by the AGM.
Organiser Marina Wigmore told The Profile she was looking out for historical photos and documents to go along with maps of the original sections that were auctioned off in Turua, as well as stories and information that people in the area might have about their families.
“There’s a lot of old names around here… this is actually quite an old settlement,” she said.
“The original hall was over at Aegis Oil and was from the 1880s – the [new] hall was opened here on the first of October, 1926.”
The centenary will also be a chance to celebrate the hall’s newly-installed Portacom extension with an official opening ceremony.
“My husband passed away three years ago, but he was the instigator for trying to get the portacom here,” Marina said.
“[The] new community facility will house the library, emergency response, and a meeting room… It will be great to get people to come and have a look.”
The portacom was acquired from Barnardos and installed behind the hall in January, 2025.
Turua Library is already operating from it, after being moved from its old home in the leaky annex at the front of the main hall.
The annex will eventually be renovated as part of the committee’s $1.3 million long-term plans to restore and modernise Turua Hall.
Meanwhile, the centenary event will wind up with a buffet meal and social, which Marina said will be the time for dancing, music, and memories.
“It’s a chance for old residents and people who have been here for a while just to catch up and reminisce.”
DETAILS: Turua Hall centenary celebration, on September 26 from 3pm onwards. Buffet dinner will commence at 6pm: limited tickets are available at $60 per person. Contact Marina at wigcorp@xtra.co.nz for more information.
