Make it stand out

Have you seen the new mural on Seddon St?! The Waihī Community Forum was excited to fund this initiative and has been working with 'The Shoe Shop' owner, Jan Iles, and Artist John Mulvay on the project.

John did a lot of research, meeting with Ian Robinson (who owned the store with McLeay's granddaughter, Heather, for 50 years) to discuss everything from the store's general history to the well-known Roman Sandals invented by Pat McCleay in the late 1930s.

Jan has been keen to restore the shop since taking it over, and the Forum was happy to help with this special nod to the shop's past "it's important we remember our local history", says Bindy Burke, Waihī Community Forum Chairperson, "murals like this enhance our town centre, and provide an added interest for those visiting Waihī wanting to know more about its history too. The Forum was only too happy to get behind this project, and we're all very happy with the result.”

Photo: WCF Chair Bindy Burke, Artist John Mulvay with his dog Barbie, and Previous Shop Owner Ian Robinson.