Whitianga lost a great resident recently with the passing of Noel Hewlett on 1st July, aged 86. Arriving in Whitianga well over 40 years ago, initially owning the IGA store which was operated from the location that now supports the local Subway, Noel has been a consistent contributor and advocate for our community.
Noel, relaxing in the garden.
The love of his community lead Noel to contribute much towards its improvement and betterment. This involved periods serving as Chairman of the Business Association, membership of the Community Board and for a number of years as a TCDC Councillor. Noels contribution was not limited to committee work though as he also was involved with community work to do with the Cyclone Bola recovery, purchasing the old Fish Factory (now the Monkey House Theatre) for community use, working with the local committee tasked with Waterways liaison and in later years extensive involvement with developing the Bike Park. This is a unique hidden gem of Whitianga, located down the end of Moewai Road and used for family picnics and recreation. I remember meeting Noel for the first time when my wife and I visited the park after her father’s funeral in 2012. Noel met us there and showed us the tree Jim (my father-in-law) had donated and planted in the Bike Park, a lovely memorial. Noel worked at the Bike Park until his recent passing, always willing to show and discuss the park with visitors of all types.
Noel’s advocacy in recent years was centred on the Moewai Park Sports Ground. Opened in 2014, this sports ground is a great facility that has not been properly utilised by the community and could provide us with much more. Using the Informer as a vehicle for his advocacy, Noel has presented the case for developments at the Park such as a soundshell and lounge / convention facilities, concert venue. In one letter on the subject Noel wrote:
With all the doom and gloom in the world, and especially our own country, we must as individuals stay positive and look for opportunities in the future. One opportunity I would like to promote is to do with the wonderful facility built at the Whitianga Sports Park off Moewai Road. This complex developed by Hopper Bros. and TCDC would have to be the most professional project in the district.
Whilst the construction of the site is well done, it needs much more work to complete the project and make it financially viable. My practical solution is to provide an area to hold events and concerts, to bring in the people and provide revenue.
Imagine, if you will, a permanent soundshell site built to accommodate up to 5000 people. The benefits of this proposal could be huge, both for Whitianga and the whole district.
He also argued against development of an Arts and Conference Centre in the town centre, once again pointing out the benefits of using the Sports Park.
There is no question that Whitianga needs a dedicated site for the arts but what about other groups and organisations who use the Town Hall on a regular basis? The venue at present is full to capacity. The hall site would not only be expensive to develop but lacks the necessary parking. During the past few months, I have contributed Letters to the Editor in the informer on the need to have a building to cater for all sectors. The site I keep proposing is on the Whitianga Sports Ground off Moewai Road that is owned by the Thames Coromandel District Council. It is unfinished and there is room and capacity for more development and usage. This position would be ideal to build a Conference and Performing Arts Centre and be used by art and creative and performing groups, concerts, music events etc. All this would be in addition to sports events – a wonderful facility for our region.
