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The history of
the Colville
Co-operative
continued from previous page
All that was required to become a shareholding owner was the payment
of one dollar and proof of residence in the area for six months of the
year, and participation gradually spread through the broader Colville
community. A wonderfully unique feature was that ownership did not
promise any monetary gain. The benefits of belonging had nothing to
do with profit, but were instead to be found in the Co-op’s strong belief
in the sustaining power of community life. Helping out at the store
became a habit for many who joined. Projects and upgrades still depend
wherever possible on volunteers, and while the faces may change
occasionally, there is always a core group who get things done!
A COMMUNITY UMBRELLA ORGANISATION
In the 1980s, the Co-op made the shop a separate business entity, calling
it the Colville General Store, and left its management to the workers.
The Co-op then turned its attention to community. As an umbrella
organisation, it was instrumental in the birth of the Colville Social Services
Collective and assisted with Colville’s first foray into early childhood
education, with the Colville Creche. Funds were donated to the Colville
Health Centre, the local music and youth clubs, and to environmental
causes such as the anti-mining campaign Coromandel Watchdog.
Today, 35 years later, many of the original members and their families are
still involved. The two current directors of the Colville General Store and
Chairperson of the Management Committee are long-standing members,
all having joined in the early 1980s, and have participated in a variety of
roles over the years. One of the founding members, Phebe Look, had
the pleasure of seeing three generations of her family involved in various
roles. Children drop in after school for treats on their way home, and the
town’s teens work their first summer jobs stocking the shop’s shelves.
This is what happens, when people and community are the focus.
What will you find if you pay the Colville Store a visit now? Well, the
interior of the shop looks much like it did a generation ago, with wooden
shelves, bulk bins, fresh local produce, local arts and crafts, gardening
and fishing supplies, and of course cold beers for hot days and petrol
to get you where you’re going. For those interested in a bit of Colville
history, and for those just wanting an ice cream, a visit to ‘the Shop’, as
the locals call it, is a must.
1768 State Highway 25 • Coromandel Town • 07 8667245
Don’t miss our COROMANDEL MUSSEL FESTIVAL!
Saturday 6th February 2016
Open 7 days 9:30am – 4:30pm
Open for dinner during January & February
Try our very own craft beer brewed on site!
Live Music Every Saturday
January & February in our garden bar
For current menu & information
MUSSELS
Scallops & Flounder
when in season
DINE IN OR TAKEAWAY
We courier anywhere in NZ
1611 SH25 • COROMANDEL
Just South of the 309 Road
OPEN DAILY 8:30am-6:30pm
07-866 8028
DINE
over the
OYSTERBEDS
also
OYSTERS Freshly harvested
from our farms
COROMANDEL OYSTER COMPANY
MUSSELS
Scallops & Flounder
when in season
DINE IN OR TAKEAWAY
We courier anywhere in NZ
1611 SH25 • COROMANDEL
Just South of the 309 Road
OPEN DAILY 8:30am-6:30pm
07-866 8028
DINE
over the
OYSTERBEDS
also
OYSTERS Freshly harvested
from our farms
COROMANDEL OYSTER COMPANY
Photo of sign from the 1980s, with that Kodachrome colour glow...
COROMANDEL MUSSEL FESTIVAL is on Waitangi Day, 6th February
2016, 2pm to midnight. Your ticket includes 5 great tasting favourite
mussel dishes – mussel chowder, fritters, battered, half shell and
steamed with sauces. Live music and entertainment. and beer brewed on
site. At The Mussell Kitchen, corner of SH25 & The 309. Tickets limited –
$40, 12 and under $15, 5 and under free. See
TOUR DE COROMANDEL. 12-19 March. Traverse this loop on your
horse, bike or hike. Trek begins at Coromandel Town, through Colville to
Port Jackson. Then to Port Charles (a day of rest), before continuing to
Waikawau Bay and returning to Coromandel. Campgrounds, showers/
toilets, catering tent, massages, bar at each stop. Gear is trucked for
you. Fee, for info/reservation, see on FB.
ILLUME: Coromandel Winter
Festival of Lights. Two BIG
nights on Friday 15th and
Saturday 16th July 2016. On
Friday 15th is a night market,
with live music/entertainment.
On Saturday 16th, is the street
parade, fireworks display,
entertainment and more. See
20 COROMANDEL LIFE 2016 SUMMER/EASTER
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UPCOMING COLVILLE / COROMANDEL TOWN EVENTS