Oddfellows Hall

May I begin by greeting everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand, in English, Māori, Cook Island Māori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language.   Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and as it is the morning (Sign)

May I specifically greet you: Paul Thomas, Chair of the Reefton Historic Trust Board; Carmen Ormiston, President of the Reefton Operatic and Reparatory Society and co-ordinator of the Oddfellows Restoration Committee; Yvette Biliczka, secretary Reefton historic Trust; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen.

Thank you for inviting me to attend this ceremony marking the reopening of the Oddfellows Hall here in Reefton this morning. 

On such a visit as this, my wife Susan would usually be with me, but she is in Wellington with our daughter Anya, whose partner recently gave birth to our first grand-daughter, Lola.  She is the second grandchild we have been blessed with in the space of six weeks-our other daughter Tara, who lives in London, gave birth to our first grandson, Joshua, in January.

I have been asked to officially reopen this hall, but before I do, I would like to speak briefly of the signficance of this event.

The Oddfellows Hall has been a part of Reefton for more than a 130 years.  Along with the School of Mines, Reefton Courthouse, St Xaviers Anglican Church and many other buildings, it forms part of the wonderful heritage of this town, established in the gold rushes of the 1860s and 1870s.

That these buildings, including several on the mainstreet, have not only been preserved, but also celebrated speaks much of the strong community spirit of your town and of the West Coast.

I understand the Reefton Historic Trust Board has a fine reputation for the quality of its historic tours, including dressing up in period costume.

And just as New Zealand has changed, so has the Oddfellows Hall.  I understand that the building was at one stage shifted from its original site.  As well as its original purpose as a gathering place for Oddfellows, it has served many public and private uses, from a storage place for motorparts, through to a temporary post office after the 1968 Inangahua Earthquake.

The restoration of the building has taken several years but it is now ready to enter a new phase as a new, small community hall that will complement the larger community centre.

I understand that one of the first uses will be for the Reefton Operatic and Reparatory Society's forthcoming production of Little Red Riding Hood although no date has yet been set for the first show.

The restoration of the Oddfellows Hall reflects the healthy spirit of community effort that is so evident on the West Coast. Volunteerism is the glue that holds our society together and it seems not to be in short supply in Reefton.  

So I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate everyone who has been invoved in this project.  I also want to congratulate the community and particularly the Trust and Society, on the work you have all done to preserve and celebrate your town's heritage.  I declare the hall open with much pleasure.

And on that note, I will close in New Zealand's first language Māori, by offering everyone greetings and wishing you all good health and fortitude in your endeavours.

No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tēnā koutou katoa.