Do you have any photos of this area that you could share? We are keen to see them. One of the wonders of the digital age is the increasing number of past records that have become available to view online as libraries dedicate time to share their holdings.

The Hamilton City Libraries Heritage collection now features this photo from the opening of the YMCA in Matangi. The YMCA was approached for support when it was realised that the new Glaxo factory was going to have a large number of single men who would need both accommodation and recreation facilities. The report of the opening in The Waikato Times reminds us of what a big deal the building of the Glaxo Factory was. https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19180318.2.41?items_per_page=10&page=2&query=YMCA+Matangi

There are a number of resources on this website if you are interested in learning more about the Matangi Dairy Factory https://matangilink.nz/matangi-dairy-factory/

The involvement of the YMCA lasted less than a year as the branch was noted as closed by September 1918. The building in the background of this photo is the Matangi School when it was located near the Factory prior to being moved to its current site in 1920.

Other resources regarding local history can be found on a website being developed to share local histories. http://heritagewaikato.org/node/16 Most of the information so far comes from materials published in local school reunion publications. The Matangi Primary School 75th Jubilee 1910 – 1985 – A school and District History is particularly valuable for this area.

If you are interested in being involved in the development of the website or have photos and records about the area that you are willing to share please contact secretaryheritagew@gmail.com or Faye Douglas on 0274460621 , Harry Mowbray on 021901808 or Kitty Burton on 0273411906.