Nostalgia big on Facebook

A Porirua-themed Facebook group formed in a moment of boredom has become wildly popular, attracting tens of thousand of members within a week of being established.

The ‘‘Porirua’’ group bills itself as ‘‘ The ‘ official’ hometown page of Porirua’’ and at time of publication had 18,600 members.

It was created by Cannons Creek man Dennis Makalio Jr on Friday, July 13, and by the end of that weekend had 4000 members, he says.

Members can request to join the group or are added by Facebook friends who are already group members.

A dull moment on Facebook provided the inspiration for the group, 23-year-old Mr Makalio says.

‘‘I was a bit bored and looking around on Facebook, I saw a lot of other towns had groups.

‘‘ I searched up Porirua but couldn’t find much, so I thought I’d try my own.’’

The popularity of the group has surprised him.

‘‘I didn’t actually expect anything to go like this. It was just a bit of boredom,’’ he says. ‘‘It’s all pretty cool.’’ Members are using it as an opportunity to indulge in memories of growing up in Porirua and many historical photos of the city have been posted, Mr Makalio says.

Many posts get dozens, if not hundreds, of likes and comments.

The average age of members is between 30 and 50, Mr Makalio believes, which accounts for the nostalgia.

‘‘The older generation have taken it over.’’

About half the members live in Porirua now and the other half have since moved away, he reckons.

The group is particularly popular with former Porirua residents now living in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and Porirua parties are being planned there to unite group members, he says.

Mr Makalio is encouraging members of the group to meet for a photo on Sunday, August 19, at 3.30pm at Porirua Park. Group members are planning to hold a reunion party after the photoshoot.

Find the Porirua group at facebook.com/ groups/.