Tex Rickard opens new St Lazarus building at Arts Centre

On Friday evening (Dec 10th)  Tex Rickard cut the ribbon opening the new St Lazarus Art Studio building at the Raglan Old School Art Centre.  In 1989, Tex’s wife the late Eva Rickard (Tuaiwa Eva Kereopa) had saved the Old School building from demolition and cut the ribbon launching the building as the Raglan Arts Centre.   Tex described how the building had been used as the first kohanga reo in Whaingaroa and was also the home of the credit union when the Post Office closed.   Later Tex and Eva’s grand daughter Alcira, read out a brief history that her mother Angeline Greensill had prepared.   Angeline played a key role in the early days of the Arts Centre.

The building was blessed by Simon Te Wheoro prior to the opening.   Arts Council Chair, Rodger Gallagher said that the building had only moved from a dream to reality through the generosity of the St Lazarus Trust Board.   He thanked all people who had supported the project including, Councillor Clint Baddeley, Builder Dave Shilton and Designer & Project Manager Mike Goodison.  The Chairman of the St Lazarus Trust, John Hay, said that when the Trust sold its Raglan retirement village it had wanted to retain a link with Raglan to acknowledge the local people who had donated money when the retirement village was built.   The Chairman unveiled two plaques- one from the St Lazarus Village and a new one marking the opening of the new building.   The Trust announced that they were pleased with way the building had been accomplished and announced another donation of $35,000 to allow the Arts Council to complete additional facilities for the St Lazarus Art Studio.

Simon Te Wheoro then gifted his coffee on canvas painting of Ngati Mahaanga Chief, Te Awa-i-taia to the Arts Council.  Local Musicians Dave Maybee and Peter Skandera then provided music for the 50 guests.   Arts Council member Andre Te Wheoro later recounted a short history of the Raglan Community Arts Council members and leaders over the years.