Mufti Day for St Mary’s
Waipukurau School’s student council organised a recent mufti day to raise funds for the restoration of St Mary’s Church.
St Mary’s was closed by the Standing Committee of the Diocese ofWaiapu at Easter 2014 because it was earthquakeprone, after an initial evaluation rated the building as meeting only 13 per cent of the New Building Standard.
Last year the diocese approved formation of a church subcommittee to investigate if the church could be brought up to standard. Late last year a report found the the 1929-built church could be strengthened to the minimum 34 per cent rating for $250,000.
Waipukurau School principal Tim Hocquard said his students organised the mufti day because they wanted to see St Mary’s open again.
“Students at the school have a close connection with the church through the annual carol service that used to be held there before the earthquake strengthening was required. They would like to be able to use the church again,” Mr Hocquard said.
At last week’s school assembly, students presented a cheque for $402 to Alan Sutherland, amember of the St Mary’s Restoration Committee.
“Mr Sutherland reported that a great deal of money had already been spent on getting specialist reports and that tenders had been received. He was hopeful that [earthquake strengthening] work would start soon and be finished before the end of the year,” said Mr Hocquard, who added the announcement was “well received by the students”.