I am almost as ‘historic' as this wonderful cute little building for which I have so many memories.

Otumoetai Primary School, was a two roomed building. I turned up as a 5 year old in 1948. The then teacher Miss Edna Galbowly taught 5 - 8 year olds and then we progressed to the senior class-room, 9 - 12 years under the superb guidance of Miss June Thorpe. A total of 27 pupils.

However by the time I left end of 1954 and was sent to boarding school, Otumoetai Primary School had extended its buildings to 7 classrooms and boasted a total of 120 pupils. The 1950's - a population explosion.

I have the answer to save ‘this building'.... it could be placed just down the road at ‘Maungawhare Reserve'. Historic Grounds open to the Public.

What could be better? The Homestead ‘Maungawhare' (built 1878) is registered as a ‘Tauranga Historic Place'. All the ‘children' from the families who lived at Maugawhare went to the Otumoetai Primary School.

A 115 years ago - (1898) and onwards this building was the centre of the community. The past Otumoetai families held family days here - such as calf days -

Spring picnic competition days - Guy Fawkes exciting bonfire nights - community evenings plus many school concerts.

Please do not destroy this precious slice of Otumoetai History. Recall what the City Of Tauranga did to its iconic ‘Town Hall' in the 1980s...... We cannot put back, that which we chose ‘ one day' to eradicate - then later regret.

Alys Ingrid Wicksteed ( Revfeim) - Otumoetai.