about us

Our History

The Lyric Theatre Society was incorporated on the 19th September 1986, changing its name to the Northern Buller Communities Society on the 12th November 1992.  Since then, the Society has, through its activities, supported communities from the Whareatea to the Mokihinui River. Evolving as an organisation over the years the Society has encouraged various subcommittees, organisation members and a network of volunteers, to provide community support and assistance through activities which enhance, promote and provide lifelong learning opportunities, community spaces, community development and personal development. Current activities include a staffed Resource Centre, production of a free community newsletter and a variety of beautification activities.  We currently also act as an umbrella organisation for the Granity District Fundraising Centre (Op Shop) and the Hector Swimming Pool - both of which are managed and operated by volunteers.

Society ownership and its historical link to the Lyric Theatre in Granity was maintained until November 2023 when the theatre was transferred to a new organisation dedicated to the building and its place in the community.  Prior to this, we spent eight years restoring the theatre and information on this massive project can be found here. The former Mines Survey Office now known as the Op Shop (also in Granity and a heritage listed building) has also benefitted from a Society enabled restoration effort.  Details on this project can be found here.

The Northern Buller Communities Society has suffered from retrenchment and a loss of volunteers in recent years.   Luckily new groups such as Can-B (Community Action Northern Buller) have gained momentum, increasing their membership and promoting community-led advocacy and projects in the same geographical area.  This organisation and others in the community are now seen as being better placed to engage in some of the activities previously offered through the Society.  

All key Society officers sought retirement in 2024, and were not available for re-election at the AGM.   It was subsequently decided to wind up operations at an SGM held in early November. An interim committee has been in operation since then and is progressively working through 13 motions related to winding up the organisation as per the winding up clause in its constitution.  The aim is to have the bulk of these requirements completed by March 31st 2025.