Moana Church Lake Brunner

04/09/2026

04/09/2026

Continuing with our timeline images of St Johns Church, Ruru, before its relocation to Moana.
A Greymouth Evening Star report from "[Our Own Correspondent.]" gives us an idea of community life in the Midland Line in 1937.
Two Greymouth Evening Star Public Notices showing the church was used by both Church of England and St Patrick's Parish.
In 1941 a platform for the Christening Font was erected in the church to commemmorate the consecration of the church by the Bishop of Nelson.
From the West Coast Recollections site we have found photos of Scotty and Shirley Thompson's wedding - a photo of them as they emerge from the church and one of Peggy Brereton, who was a bridesmaid to Shirley Klemple.
Recently we received from the Lemon family this image of the church, at Ruru, with its entrance door facing the road and the lake.
And, a huge thank you to Tony Kokshoorn for this image showing where the church was located in Ruru before its shift to Moana.

24/08/2026

Our Moana Church was originally opened and dedicated on 15th December, 1935, in Ruru. We are searching for photos of the church at that time or over later years, of weddings, christening and other events while the church was at Ruru. Please help us to gather images and information before its lost forever. Below- Greymouth Evening Star's report on the opening (spread over 2 images).

20/08/2026

Without volunteers, communities could not create the amazing facilities, organisations, and support their families rely on. The Ruru Church took years of fund raising before it eventuated. These are two adverts from the Greymouth Evening Star archives (1931 & 1935), that remind us of the fabulous work our forebears achieved. If you would like to be part of a Moana Heritage Trust group promoting the use of the Moana Church as a community facility, and helping organise community and heritage events, please contact us [email protected]

20/08/2026

Moana Church began as St John the Baptist Anglican Church in Ruru in 1935. We have this incredible photo of Ted & Emily Lemon's 1935 wedding- the first marriage in the newly constructed Ruru Church. We would love to receive any photos of the construction of this church! Over the next month we will be displaying images, many from westcoast.recollect.co.nz, in the hope of encouraging families to submit additional images before they are lost forever...

17/08/2026

Early Moana. Thank you Tony Kokshoorn for this photo you added to the Recollections site (westcoast.recollect.co.nz) .The wood slabs indicate the proximity of one of the two Moana sawmills... back in the old days!

29/07/2026

Below is the WW1 poem found recently in a Lake Brunner Centennial booklet... through the help of social media we think we have identified nearly all the men mentioned in the poem, who worked in the Midland Line district prior to enlisting. We would appreciate any further details, photos etc ? ... and finally, who was Plugger Bill- possibly from Otira!
********
In relation to ANZAC 2027 - in conjunction with Marsden Valley Education Centre (Shantytown School) next year's focus will be on our "Forgotten Helpers" of the Midland Line district, we, Moana Heritage Trust, would love to hear from you. If you wish you can email images, newspaper cuttings and information directly to [email protected] We are especially interested in those who served in noncombatant roles eg medical and religious, and in the Army Services Corps eg supply clerks, store men, quartermaster and cooks etc.
*********

14/07/2026

ANZAC 2027 - The Forgotten Helpers. Marsden Valley Education Centre (Shantytown School) will be focusing their 2027 ANZAC School visits and annual school ANZAC competition on the "Forgotten Helpers". If you have access to any images or information on our "Forgotten Helpers" of the Midland Line district, we, Moana Heritage Trust, would love to hear from you. If you wish you can email images, newspaper cuttings and information directly to [email protected] We are especially interested in those who served in noncombatant roles eg medical and religious, and in the Army Services Corps eg supply clerks, store men, quartermaster and cooks etc.

Below is the WW1 poem found recently in a Moana Centennial booklet... we are hoping to eventually name all these men. ... Can you give us any of their full names and further details???

29/04/2026

We have attached information & images we compiled for the Moana ANZAC Service... please let us know if you have further information or images we can add to our archives or if you know of further servicemen or women who served in the air, or assisted those who served in the air, from the Midland Line district.