Page 8 - OT_70th Anniversary

However the 1990s arrived, the interior and IN 1998 WE CELEBRATED OUR
exterior of the villa looked shabbier as each FIRST 50 YEARS
day passed. It was decided to revamp the
whole complex and on New Year's Day
1992 Barry Freebairn sprayed all the ants
on the old verandah. This prevented them
from holding hands. They died, the
verandah fell down and the new extensions
were on their way.

The Conservatory was built and the whole
complex was revamped with new paint,
wallpaper, carpets, blinds and curtains.

Reading past newsletters and Minutes it
appears that, since its inception, the Harry Field at 50 Celebrations
th
Society has had a rollercoaster existence.
It was great to have Harry Field with us.
Suddenly when there is a downturn of Harry was a founder member of the
interest, along comes new blood - new Society and did us the honour of cutting
th
ideas - new interest - new fortunes. Many our 50 Anniversary cake.
a time it appears members were ready to
call it quits, amalgamate with other theatre Harry told us that his niece met her future
groups, or consider other options such as husband when they were cast in a play in
"burn the bloody place down". the early days of which he was the
Director; a fact of which he was extremely
proud. Sadly Harry died a few years later

and, in a letter from his niece, she
mentioned how he had enjoyed reading the
The Whangarei Repertory newsletters and she also mentioned that
Society has injected more than
$2 million into the Whangarei she met her husband in that play Harry had
economy over the past 70 years directed.

and for all members past, After the 50 Anniversary celebration
th
present and future, please
support and protect what we weekend we had a season of the Roger
have. Hall play ‘Social Climbers’ directed by
Wendy Bell - a successful end to another
successful year.
If not for yourselves then for
the cultural arts of our city. To begin 1999 we decided to hold a
Playwriting Competition and then went on
If not for the money involved, to produce the winners. This was a lot of
then for the efforts of a lot of work but was well worth the effort and well
people over the years who received. These plays brought new faces
worked so diligently for the little to the Octagon stage but sadly not all of
we do have. them stayed. However, we do find that
from each season we ‘acquire’ some new
If not for what happened in the faces who stay for a while and that is great.
past, then support the Octagon
for the future!

6