Where it all began...
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The Ohinemuri Club was the brain child of a few prominent business and farming people in the District at the time, believing the need for a venue for social interaction of like minded persons of the day. It is believed the inaugural meeting of the club was held in a bar at the Criterion Hotel in Paeroa circa 1914.
After overcoming many obstacles in their endeavours, the Club became Incorporated in 1918. The club premises were built on its Princes Street site as a purpose built club rooms (the property file at the Hauraki District Council still has the original plans). A key feature of the new clubrooms was the locker room, where each member kept beverages of their choice to bring out and enjoy when visiting the cub. Patronage was strictly members only, and should a member bring a visitor to the club, that visitor could only be brought to a special designated room for the purpose of entertaining such visitors. The club was well patronised in those early years, and many of the country's dignitaries and government ministers are featured, as seen in visitor book records, as having been entertained at the club while on business in the Ohinemuri District. |
Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4204, 13 December 1920, Page 2
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With the changing times after World War Two, membership and visitation waned. As such, less and less maintenance was afforded to its upkeep and presentation to a point in the late 1960's where members subscriptions did not equal the council rates.
In the early 1970's a strong and dedicated committee took over with the vision of a rebuild to provide a club that Paeroa could once again be proud of. They believed in the need for the club to be reconfigured and upgraded to the status of a chartered club. This would allow for more civilised interaction of members and visitors, and would mean liquor could be dispensed to members and guests as of right.
It is pleasing to note that once the rebuild was complete the charter license was issued in 1975 and, although finances were tight for a few years, the club prospered. In the following years the club purchased neighbouring properties, changed to have female membership, and underwent two further major upgrades.
As a result of this rich history, Paeroa continues to have a Club the town and district can be proud of.
Special thanks to Kelvyn Donovan for his assistance in creating this article.
In the early 1970's a strong and dedicated committee took over with the vision of a rebuild to provide a club that Paeroa could once again be proud of. They believed in the need for the club to be reconfigured and upgraded to the status of a chartered club. This would allow for more civilised interaction of members and visitors, and would mean liquor could be dispensed to members and guests as of right.
It is pleasing to note that once the rebuild was complete the charter license was issued in 1975 and, although finances were tight for a few years, the club prospered. In the following years the club purchased neighbouring properties, changed to have female membership, and underwent two further major upgrades.
As a result of this rich history, Paeroa continues to have a Club the town and district can be proud of.
Special thanks to Kelvyn Donovan for his assistance in creating this article.