New chairman for Motueka's Community House

October 20th, 2011
[by David Armstrong]

Ron Sharp has relinquished his long-standing role as chairman of the Motueka Community House and handed over the reins to Grey Power representative Barry Simkin.

At the AGM of the Community House management team last night, Ron asked if he could move back to being a board trustee and committee member, having chaired the organisation for many years and having been among the first users of the facility back 20 years ago.

The House, located at the north end of Decks Reserve, is an Incorporated Society, registered with the Charities Commission, and is run by a committee which meets monthly. About 40% of its income comes from rent paid by currently 12 community groups which share the venue to offer their services.

Other income is from venue hire, Tasman District Council (which owns the building), some small grants, contract work for the primary health organisation (PHO), photocopying services and helping Community Law. Excellent management and the work of part-time office administrator Gaile Douglas has meant that the group ended the year with a small surplus from total income of $43,447.

The new chairman, Barry Simkin, will receive support in his role from new deputy chairman Grant Douglas. Gaile Douglas also agreed to take over the task of treasurer which Barry previously held. Ron called Gaile "the face of Motueka Community House for as long as I can remember".

The groups which use office space in the Community House are Red Cross, Nelson Bays Community Law, Motu Weka Neighbourhood Centre, Womens Support Link, Grey Power, Adult Learning Support, Fresh FM Community Radio, Relationship Services, Supporting Families in Mental Illness, Vocational Insight, Nga Watene o Motueka Maori Wardens and St Vincent de Paul Society Support.

Last November the Community House board took on the role of providing the public with contact details and information of the services available in Motueka for the various needs of its people, under contract by Nelson Bays Primary Health Development. This led to the board adopting the PHO's "Be Well" project, and the extra funding enabled the reception to be open for six hours Mondays to Fridays.

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