Acknowledge
Bill Reynolds
Bill was the founder of the service. He was born in Arahura which is about 9 ks north of Hokitika on the West Coast of the South Island. Bill's father worked at the Hokitika Asylum in the early 1900's. Bill was a POW in world war two and known widely for his scones at the Truck stop that he ran. Bill set up a boarding house in Herne Bay in 1971 which was the foundation for what we now have as Arahura Charitable Trust. That early house was a haven for many an old war veteran that ended up in Carrington or Oakley (Aucklands old institutes). ANZAC day was a big event in the house every year.
Bill died in 1987 but his legacy continues today with the people of Arahura. Every year as a service we celebrate Bill's birthday with what we call Founders Day. We head to the beach and enjoy a very casual day with cricket, swimming, volley ball, BBQ and generally good fun.
Kia Kaha Bill
Phil Matthias
Phil was the first chair of Arahura and held that position for 7 years untill his untimely death in January 2005. Phil designed this logo
. it represented the origins of the name Arahura with the Southern Alps of the letter A. The pohutakawa that has always been a symbol used by the service. The trunk of the tree represents the support we offer and the middle of the A represents the path to recovery. This image has now been replaced but not forgotten as we modernise and upgrade the service.
Phil was known for many things but prodominantly his Tatoo studio on college hill in Ponsonby. Phil on the hill. there are many kiwis with Phils art work on their bodies as well as piercings.
Many thanks to Phil and all the support he gave Arahura.
Gone but not forgotten.
Thursday, November 20, 2008, arahura