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History
The Wakatipu Senior Citizens was formed in Queenstown in 1969.
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How it all began......
The inaugural meeting was held on 23rd April 1969 Officially called Wakatipu Senior Citizens Association Incorporated, The meeting held in St Andrews Church Lounge was chaired by Rev. R Coates, and after opening was past over to Miss M G Hughes whose initiative had been responsible for the meeting.
Mr G A Macgregor was elected as interim chairman with 25 citizens present.
There were 10 rules set out at this meeting including: -
1. Organization to be known as The Evergreen Club.
2. That 60 years of age or over be the sole qualification for membership
Membership to be $1.00 per season and 10cents for visitors, and members 10cents per day for meeting and afternoon tea, this being Tea & biscuits.
Notes State. 60years old plus was not to be strictly enforced where a family member or friend came to the meeting with an elderly citizen.
May 1969
Second regular meeting attracted seventy attendee's.
Dr Anderson thanked the Red Cross for the arranging of the musical programme and for the bounteous afternoon tea turned on for all those present.
June 1969
They met on a cold wet day and flu was about only 18 present.
July 1969
The endeavors made by the secretary & president to find out about buying indoor bowls and their actions in refraining from
doing so, was approved by the meeting. They were able to borrow the necessary mat & bowls from Mr. J O'Connell each week.
Support from local groups included Red Cross, Anglican Ladies, Country Women's Institute and Woman's Division of Federated Farmers and other assisting with programmed items.
August 1969
First mention of obtaining financial assistance from Vickery Trust.
28th August 1969 was last meeting of the year, next meeting to be in April 1970
1970's.........
April 1970
1st Annual General Meeting. Mr Macgregor presented his Annual Report and was unanimously re-elected. Secretary/ Treasurer Mr A E Short.
The Secretary to write to Queenstown Borough Council asking the charge the Council will require for use of supper room and kitchen on a Thursday afternoon.
May 1970
The Association commenced meeting in the Supper Room of the Memorial Hall as
$2.00 per session on the 14th of May 1970.
June 1970
The Secretary visited Mr. Grant O.B.E. in Invercargill.
A letter sent to the council requesting the council to receive a deputation
from the Wakatipu Senior Citizens Assoc. at its next meeting and stressing the urgency of the position that has arisen and in that the lack of action by the council is obstructing the WSCA from applying for a grant from the Southland Welfare Council in this years allotments from the Vickery Trust Funds.
April 1971
2nd Annual Meeting
The chairman gave Mr Grantham an opportunity to explain his reasons for being there and he outlined to the members the fund raising scheme this association could use to obtain rooms for the association.
July 1971
The mayor Mr W Cooper councillors Mrs H H Miller, and Mr H O Hensman also the town Clerk Mr R Dick, met our committee and discussed possible sites for the erection of a Senior Citizens Centre.
September 1971
Mrs Miller gave a $2.00 donation to start a building fund.
August 1972
After afternoon tea the members were called to order and Father J Walls was appointed temporary Chairman while Mr. W Brown is away, on the motion of A E Short and Dr. W A Anderson.
November 1972
Lions Club holding $588.90 from their fund-raising effort.
4th Annual Meeting – April 1973.
The Mayor Mr. W Cooper spoke of the advantages the Senior Citizens will have when they have their own rooms, he also talked of possible assistance to the association.
June 1973
A cold day with heavy rain during the afternoon, Cards and bowls played with interesting matches, a power cut for twenty minutes but afternoon tea was on time and welcome.
July 1973
The Queenstown Borough Council has stated that the small section at the corner of Camp and Man sts adjoining Lot `12, is to be transferred to the Wakatipu Senior Citizens to enable the Assoc. to build a hall and clubrooms on both sections.
The Assn to pay the transfer charge.
Donations received so far amount to $294.80 with Queenstown Borough Council holding $1000. for us.
Mr Cooper stated that Mr Roy McKenzie would sanction the Rotary Club to spend $500 in landscaping the ground around the rooms when they are built. The Secretary to write to the Rotary Club to see if the Rotary Club will perform this work.
October 1973
The correspondence concerned our application for a grant from the committee of the Old Peoples Welfare Council, Wellington. The correct tittle being The Secretary, Welfare of aged Persons Distribution Committee; also a special offer to us from the Trustees of the P H Vickery Trust of a dollar for dollar subsidy to cover the building as planned on local cash contributions.
The Borough Council valuation was obtained $9,000 & $5000.Proposed by Mrs W A Anderson and seconded by Mrs G I Buchanan that the Borough Council be thanked for their donations and gift of section, carried.
March 1974
It was agreed that the Town Clerk Mr R Dick act as treasurer for the building of the centre. It was estimated that $47,850. will be required, that the finance committee will still need at least another $9,000. The architect to receive $500. The meeting finished at 4.20pm.
1st May 1975
The house committee meeting was held in the centre on Thursday 1 may 1975 commencing at 2.15pm our chairman Mr W H Brown in the chair, all members present. In view of the uncertainty of the completion of our centre and grounds, it was unanimously agreed to postpone the official opening indefinitely until everything was completed.
October 1975
Mrs C E Brown proposed the opening day be the 4th November 1975 at 2pm seconded by Mrs D C Scott and carried.
Father Ives moved seconded by Mrs G Hood that an application be made to have Man Street in front of the Centre Closed between 1.30pm and 3.30 pm except for parking carried.
The Secretary displayed a visitors book: decided to obtain a small table to be placed in the vestibule for the visitors book; later Mrs J McLeod, Loins investigated the size of table; also Mrs E Thompson rang to say she wished to donate and pay for the Visitors book.
4th November 1975
Official opening of our Centre, a fine day. Over 150 present. The Official Opening began at 2pm outside with a welcome by our Chairman Mr. W H Brown who called upon the Mayor of Queenstown Mr. W.E. Cooper to speak, followed by the Chairman of the Lake County Council. The Mayor of Arrowtown was unfortunately absent. Mr. D Quigley M.P. for Central then spoke to the people.
Father John H Walls gave a talk on the formation and early days of our Association, followed by a prayer and the dedication of our Centre and all those who use it and assist in its running.
February 1976
Last night Lions handed Mr W H Brown a cheque for $250.00 for our building fund also he was presented with a black table.
1980's..................
June 1985
The secretary reported on piano and informed the meeting of a generous gesture by Dr & Mrs Stewart in making a better piano available to our Association and transferring the old piano to Outdoor Bowling Pavilion. The members showed their appreciation of this magnificent gesture on their part.
18th Annual Meeting May 1986
The president reported earlier of the generosity of the Bridge Club & Sth Savings Bank in each donating $500. towards the cost of the heating unit change to electricity from diesel
Rentals; _ Increases as suggested for hall rental were approved to cover our 33% increase in our operating budget. The committee was left to deal with any objections, which might be made.
June 1987
Mrs. Clayton mentioned the problem, which locals will experience in having to walk to O.C.E.P.B new premises in Gorge Road, and suggested they be approached to see if arrangements can be made with the Council Office to have them accept payments on their behalf.
April 1988
President Lindsay advised the Red Cross had donates $500
towards the new cupboard in kitchen.
October 1988
G Paterson reported on the Arrowtown Group. They have decided to call it “The Tuesday Club”. There were 17 at the first meeting and 18 last week.
L Stewart outlined G Davis’s role in getting his brother to put more stays on the pool table, despite being asked not to, as it must remain collapsible. He has presented a bill for $45.10 that was regarded as excessive considering the minor amount of work done and infact unsatisfactory as it prevents the table from being collapsed as required.
November 1988
L Stewart reported a penalty for late payment of the final GST bill despite the fact that it was sent by return mail, he had immediately sent a letter of protest to the IRD.
March 1989
Mrs Galt asked if railing could be put up in the toilets for disabled persons to grasp to help themselves.
Jean Miller proposed weekly talks on Senior Citizens through Resort Radio. Jean to organise this.
1990's....
September 1990
Telethon 1990 Thanks to E Galbraith, C Clayton & G Paterson Senior Citizens raised $174.40 for telethon.
July 1992
C Clayton pointed out difficulty with refusing requests of relatives of deceased persons asking for alcohol to be used in
hall at afternoon tea. Decided to inform undertaker Russell McGrouther that the General rule is No alcohol at hall functions.
May 1993
Maureen Thompson spoke of concerns with falling membership, stated by some to be due to lack of friendliness shown to visitors.
Agreed to have notating seating at lunch also to have a ‘Host” each week to look after visitors.
December 1993
Parking problems in Queenstown will see more pressure on our property. A range rover has been towed away. Secretary has arranged for a sign in driveway ‘ private property- tow away area’.
September 1994
Accounts for payment – Golden Wedding wine $6.45
May 1995
Secretary notified members that the adjacent house units now for sale as this become undesirable to reside in. Hall will require
to relocation of water supply as this goes through the adjacent property.
June 1995
E Galbraith announced afternoon tea today for our members at Creek side Campervan Park on their anniversary, will send cars for those unable to walk.
October 1995
John Guthrie has entered our property without permission as wishes to build next door. Also, truck found parked at the back was asked to leave. Committee recommended Secretary to write a letter to Mr. Guthrie saying permission required in future.
June 1999
G Fraser considered hall hire charges to low. H Stewart explained how they were assessed and pointed out the hall was built by community donations.
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2000's...
July 2000
Helen Stevens has been appointed by Age Concern as the new Co-Coordinator in this area.
September 2000
Bill pointed out to the committee that there was a possibility that the Bridge Club may move because the hall was becoming too small for their increasing numbers. There was some discussion about an upgrade and or extension of our premises, but because no-one had any definite proposals at this stage, it was moved that a sub committee be formed to talk with the Bridge Club Committee about the future of the Hall and report back.
August 2001
Correspondence from Queenstown Bridge Club saying that the proposed upgrade of the rooms did not meet their requirements.
2020's.....
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