Monday, November 05, 2007
Good morning.
Thank you for inviting me to take part in your celebrations to open these wonderful new facilities at the Petone Working Men’s Club today.
I want to acknowledge President Barry Priest and general manager Eddie Wairau and congratulate you on organising the fine weather that we are enjoying!
They say Spring is a time of renewal, and that is certainly true for the Petone Working Men’s Club having undergone major extensions and renovations. While clubs are struggling to survive in some parts of New Zealand, it’s great to see this club building a bright future by working hard to provide the best facilities for its members.
The facilities are first-class and as good as any I have seen around the country, which is a tribute to the club executive, the members and, of course, the contractors - many of whom are locally-based - that built it.
It is another example of us Hutties leading the way.
Having been established way back in 1887, I can’t think of a better way for the club to mark its 120th anniversary and 30 years on this site in Udy Street than this occasion.
The club has always been a popular place. In 1888, the New Zealand Times newspaper observed it to be a place where ‘local men can congregate to discuss local matters” and that ”a considerable amount of local talent is at times brought to light when any burning question of the day is being ventilated”. While women have since been admitted to the club, I suspect the rest of the description still holds true today!
What also hasn’t changed is that it remains a place where people can enjoy a cold beer and relax after a long day at work, maybe have a meal, place a bet or play pool. It is this and the other facilities that make the club all things to a lot of people. The extensions will better cater for live entertainment from bands and shows. And for those of you (like me) whose better half won’t let him have a big screen TV at home and need somewhere to watch the big games, it has that too. I’m sure there’s even a place for the Queen to powder her nose! There are, of course, many other improvements, but I’ll let you discover them for yourselves.
We as a Council recognise the club’s contribution to Petone and the City as a hub for the community, creating a sense of place and a focal point for people to meet and share each other’s company. All these things make our city a more attractive, more enjoyable place to live. For that, on behalf of the council, I thank you.
The next couple of days promise to be full of fun and entertainment, and I wish the club and all its members an enjoyable weekend.
It is now with great pleasure that, with the cutting of this ribbon, I officially declare the Petone Working Men’s Club, open.