FROM THE ARCHIVES
Each week the South Waikato News delves into its archives to see what was making the news 10, 25 and 50 years ago. This week we found stories on Colsons Hill vandalism, young operatic talent on show and a Tokoroa beauty winning Miss Auckland title.
10 years ago Thoughtless few destroy community work of many
February 12, 2003 Thoughtless vandals took only minutes to destroy the hours of hard work by 50 local Lions members when they tagged the newly beautified Colsons Hill lookout last week.
Tokoroa Host Lions Club president Peter Knox, who organised the working bee, said he was ‘‘gutted’’ to see the work of so many people, ruined.
‘‘ In two minutes they’ve destroyed all the efforts of 50 people,’’ he said.
‘‘We are trying to do it up for everybody.’’
About 50 Lions from the Tokoroa Host, Tokoroa Pakeke and Tokoroa City Lions clubs worked through- out the day on February 1 to upgrade Colsons Hill.
On Thursday night vandals spray painted their tag names ‘‘wizardz’’ and ‘‘dynasty’’ over the newly-painted seats and lookout, as well as on trees and the water tower.
25 years ago Junior operatic group rehearses Starblaze
July 28, 1988 Rehearsals for the Tokoroa Junior Operatic Society group’s first production Starblaze began this week.
The junior members are busy rehearsing for their first production which is scheduled to open at the Tokoroa Operatic Society hall at the beginning of September.
Director Amanda Stewart said the production is a space fantasy and involves a cast of 48 children and teenagers aged between eight and 15. Miss Stewart said the opportunity to stage the show will give younger members of the society the chance to show their talent.
‘‘I think it will give younger members a chance to do things.’’
She said there were a number of very talented children in the cast.
50 years ago Tokoroa girl wins Miss Auckland title
May 16, 1963 A 23- year- old hazel- eyed blonde, Tokoroa school teacher Diane Chambers, was selected from 25 contestants for the premier northern beauty award, the Miss Auckland title, last week.
An intermediate school teacher, Miss Chambers decided to enter the contest on the suggestion of friends and now finds herself plunged into the world of glamour and preparing to represent Auckland at the Miss New Zealand quest in Dunedin at Queen’s Birthday weekend.
One of the tests for the girls entered in the Miss Auckland contest was to make an impromptu minute- long speech on any subject.
Miss Chambers was not at a loss for words.
She devoted her minute to a short talk on Tokoroa and Kinleith.