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It’s a rare day when there are no cars parked outside the Waiuku War Memorial Hall.
Once enjoyed as the local picture theatre, the hall is now a popular venue for sports, clubs, events and meetings, and is run by a committee.
Barry Gibbon is on the committee and says the hall is a true community hub for the wider Waiuku area.
“Being right in the middle of town, it has some advantages over rural halls. A couple of weeks back, we had a musician, Daniel Champagne, in concert with 250 people and we’ve got a charity dinner coming up for about 160 people, all seated. It’s well-utilised.”
The hall is made up of two buildings — the Waiuku War Memorial Hall and Backstage Theatre (which is home to Waiuku Theatre Group).
The Waiuku Town Hall was opened on the corner of Queen Street and Victoria Avenue in June 1917. It was not built as a war memorial at the time, although the Waiuku and Districts roll of honour, which was unveiled during a ceremony held beside the town’s memorial cenotaph on April 25, 1931, was later placed in the hall.
The building was formally reopened and dedicated as the Waiuku War Memorial Hall on May 18, 1957. Sometimes known as the Waiuku War Memorial Town Hall, sometimes just as the Waiuku Town Hall, the building was rededicated as a war memorial after further refurbishment on February 17, 1991.
The committee is seeking more volunteers to help run the hall. Email bandfgibbon@gmail.com if you are interested.
