An important community milestone

By Frank Neill

Cornerstone Community Centre’s 40th anniversary celebration was a “really important milestone event for the Khandallah community,” said the chair of the trust that runs Cornerstone, Alastair Hutchens.

“Anniversaries are important events, whether they are personal or an organisation such as we are.”

Cornerstone celebrated its anniversary at the Khandallah Town Hall on 11 August.

The event was well attended and among those present were the four people who came up with the idea of establishing a community centre in Khandallah – Dermot and Keri Byrne. and Peter and Isobel Delaney.

Former Wellington City Councillor John Morrison, ariu MP Greg O’Connor and Wellington City Councillor Diane Calvert also joined the celebration.

Cornerstone came about as a result of a conversation over dinner – a dinner attended by himself, Keri, Peter and Isobel, Dermot said in his speech.

They then became involved with a group of people from a number of churches in Khandallah, including the Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian and Brethren.

The group wanted to help people in the community, and they set aside an area in the building on 2 Ganges Road, which they had acquired, for a community centre.

“Essentially it was people helping people,” Dermot said.

When they were setting up the centre “out of the blue the Johnsonville Lions appeared on the scene.”

The Lions helped in a variety of ways, including painting and organising furniture and fittings.

“They did an amazing job,” Dermot said. “It was a wonderful thing they had done.”

Dermot also paid a tribute to Cornerstone’s first co-ordinator Ley Quenelle.

“She laid the foundations of the centre,” he said.

“She was the sole co-ordinator for three years and didn’t take any pay.

“It was an amazing contribution.”

“When we started we thought if we could do it for three years that would be great.

“Now here we are 37 years later, which is amazing.

“I would like to acknowledge Jesus as our inspiration and our cornerstone,” Dermot said.

Morris Robertson provided insights into the move to Khandallah Town Hall in his speech.

Before the move, the town hall was “rather run down”.

However it was clear that the town hall could be renovated and restored and put to use in the community.

“We were fortunate in having Cr John Morrison to support us.

“Eventually John managed to engineer the majority of councillors to support it.”

A management committee for the town hall restoration project was formed and architects were appointed.

“We have this wonderful build- ing now, which is the centre point of the village.”

“I would like to honour tonight Dermot and Keri and Peter and Isobel for the great vision they had for this Cornerstone centre,” Ewen Robinson said in his speech.

“Their vision was that the churches of Khandallah would interact with the community through this centre.”

Their aim was to help people in the community.

“It is wonderful over the 40 years the commitment of those involved – the trustees, the staff and the volunteers.

“Well done, and God bless you for all you are doing for the community here in Khandallah,” Ewen said.

Free check

Free blood p ressure checks w ill be available at the Waitohi Hub in Johnsonville from 10am to 3pm on Friday 1 September.

T he checks are being p rovided by the Stroke Foundation of New Zealand.

Bookings are not needed and more information is at Free blood pressure checks | Stroke Foundation NZ

Composting session

A responsible composting workshop will be held at the Newlands Community Centre from 10:30 to 11:30am on Saturday 9 September. At this free workshop people will learn how to take climate action with food scraps, make great compost for their gardens and keep rodents away. People attending need to RSVP to new landscommunitycentre @wcc. govt.nz or 04 477 3724

Send

Canine Vitality

Packed full of Montmorency tart cherries – the super fruit that delivers exceptional results - our biscuits are ideal as a treat, supplement or full feed for your dog. Shop online