Gisborne volunteer Dot McCulloch steps down from Care and Craft Centre after 35 years

Dot McCulloch at work in the kitchen preparing for the Care and Craft Centre Christmas party at their St Andrews Hall base. Tuesday was McCulloch's last official day at the centre, as she has retired after more than 35 years of service. Photo / Wynsley Wrigley

One of Tairāwhiti’s most dedicated volunteers is stepping back after more than 35 years of serving the elderly and those with disabilities.

But the depth of her passion means retirement will be far from the end of Dot McCulloch’s community contributions.

McCulloch was making a salad for the Care and Craft Centre Christmas party when the Gisborne Herald visited this week.

For McCulloch, the centre’s supervisor, it was her last official day, before stepping away into retirement after more than 35 years at the centre.

Care and Craft is Gisborne’s only day programme for elderly people and those with a disability.

McCulloch helps provide social activity to help people regain and learn new skills.

“I like helping people in need, and I like helping with those things that I am able to help with,” McCulloch said.

McCulloch said she decided to retire four months ago.

“The difficulty is getting someone to take my place,” she said.

A temporary replacement has been arranged, “but I don’t think she knows what she’s taking on”.

For McCulloch, however, completely quitting after so long is not so simple.

She admitted she might be back in the new year as “a guest” or volunteer.

The centre had a lot of cane suitable for arts and craft work and she may also teach spinning.

“I can do it, but I can’t be the supervisor, too.”

She has also been active in Te Hapara Garden and Floral Art Club, Gisborne Floral Art Club, Gisborne Care & Craft Centre and Gisborne Sister Cities.

The qualified floral arts teacher will still tutor a Monday morning group.

“You cut off my arm if you take floral art away from me.”

The keen gardener also has a half-acre garden at home to love and maintain.

Tracey Bacon of Tairāwhiti Community Voice said McCulloch had been a stalwart in the community.

“She has supported many, numerous people who have fallen through the cracks in our system,” Bacon said.

“We wish her well in having a rest ... she will be missed at Care and Craft ... We are looking forward to her coming back as a guest later in 2025.”

Dot McCulloch being presented with the Nan Evans Award by Tairāwhiti Community Voice chairwoman Joan-Ella Ngata last year for her work over many years with the Care and Craft Centre. Photo / Paul Rickard

Last year McCulloch was the recipient of the Tairāwhiti Community Voice’s Nan Evans Award for “strength of spirit and dedicated work for your community”.

She still has another major task to complete in the new year.

As chairwoman of Friends of Makaraka Cemetery Trust, and as a researcher, she has written two books and has another on the way.

The books are based on the life stories derived from many of the 88 headstones removed and buried by the former Gisborne Borough Council 50 years ago.

Most of the headstones have been retrieved, repaired and restored to their rightful place where many colonial-era Gisborne/Tūranga residents rest.

McCulloch has helped people, many from outside of the district, locate and identify family members of the past, repair headstones and tell their life stories.

The stories provide an insight into early life in the district.

The deceased include women involved in the struggle for universal suffrage, soldiers, early politicians and British settlers.

McCulloch is waiting for several people to get back to her with information about their relatives resting in Makaraka Cemetery, with their stories all lined up for the next book.

She will remain active in the trust and still hopes to get book three published in January.