The gift that keeps on giving

Members of the Senior Citizen's Association in its heyday, enjoying a celebration. Photo Ted Dixon from his mother Audrey Crothall's collection. Mrs Crothall was secretary of the Assn for many years.

It’s the end of an era for the Blockhouse Bay Senior Citizens hall. Originally incorporated in 1967, the Blockhouse Bay & District Senior Citizens Association aimed to provide a place where older people could gather for social events in the then isolated and underdeveloped Blockhouse Bay area.

In the early days meetings of the Association were held at St Saviour’s Church hall but through the fundraising efforts and personal donations of its members, Auckland City Council land at 522 Blockhouse Bay Road was purchased. Local donations meant that a building could be constructed on the land and this building became the club rooms for the Association in around 1973. It was to be a gathering place for the over 60s of Blockhouse Bay and the surrounding districts.

The legacy of the early members has continued into the next generation. One of the present members of the Association Ted Dixon, became involved initially as the auditor for the Association. He did this for 33 years. His late mother, Audrey Crothall, was secretary of the Association. Other members including club president Rangi Mitchelson, present secretary Shelia Hall, treasurer Lorraine Warren and her husband Ray, have dedicated enormous amounts of time and effort to the running of the Association and the maintenance of the hall.

In recent times, much of the maintenance and organisation has been undertaken by Ray (82) and Lorraine (75). Lorraine has become ill in recent times and carrying on the hall is simply too much for them.

The hall has been a popular place for older people to go and socialise with others over the last 50 years. It has provided a place to meet and play bowls and cards. The hall has also been used by various community groups for events. There is no longer such a need for a social hub for the elderly in Blockhouse Bay; it is no longer an isolated community. Much of the work undertaken by the Association is now carried on by churches and other community groups. A community centre has also been established in Blockhouse Bay.

Maintaining the hall has become more difficult for the members and with diminishing demand for its objectives, a decision was made in the first instance to offer the hall to the Auckland Council who could continue to operate it for the purposes of the Association. Sadly, this was not something Auckland Council was able to do, and so a further decision was made to sell the hall and use the proceeds of sale for community and charitable purposes.

The hall was sold in December 2019. The Association wishes to apply the proceeds of sale of the building for the benefit of the over 60s in Blockhouse Bay and surrounding districts.
The funds must be applied to the best advantage of the community of Blockhouse Bay, in continuity of the purposes of the Association, being social and useful activities for citizens of 60 years and over including:

• social pursuits with the object of maintaining physical and mental health
• the continued utilisation of the skills and experience of older citizens in service of the community or
• providing services to the citizens to assist the less fortunate

The Association now calls for expressions of interest from the community. We are looking for community groups and/or charities that can apply the funds to good use having regard to the purposes of the Association.

Members of the Blockhouse Bay Senior Citizens & District Association were sad to see the hall sold. The members acknowledge and appreciate the support for the senior citizens of Blockhouse Bay an its surrounding districts. The members welcome the opportunity to create an enduring benefit to the community with the use of the funds.

Expressions of interest should be sent to:
Alexandra Low & Associates
PO Box 163045
Lynfield
Auckland
or email to: executive@lowlaw.co.nz

Expressions of interest should include a CV of the organisation; an outline of what is proposed; and a summary of how the funds will be applied to the best advantage of the community, having regard to the purposes of the Association. It may be that the funds will be applied to more that one purpose depending on the responses we receive. Applications close 1 April 2020. ​​