Summer 2023 by Heritage Central Otago

Protecting, preserving & celebrating our heritage Summer 2023

‘Watching Kopuwai’ Old Man Range Runner-up in the Central Otago Heritage in Focus Photography Competition

Published by the Central Otago Heritage Trust www.heritagecentralotago.org.nz

ABOUT US The Central Otago Heritage Trust, established in 2008, comprises member groups within the local heritage community. The role of the Trust is to represent the collective interests of these groups in protecting, preserving and celebrating our unique heritage. It is governed by trustees nominated and elected by members. The Trust is the founding organisation of Heritage Central Otago. Our communitybased initiatives are represented under the Heritage Central Otago identity. OUR TRUSTEES David Ritchie (Chair), Marco Creemers, Russell Garbutt, Lynda Gray, Warwick Hawker, David Hurd, Pene Morris & Ross Naylor. Ann Rodgers (CODC Liaison). Maggie Hope (Heritage Coordinator).

CONTENTS HERITAGE MATTERS ......................................................................................................... 2 FROM THE CHAIR ......................................................................................................... 2 CELEBRATING OUR HERITAGE ....................................................................................... 4 A CHURCH ON HIGH AT SERPENTINE DIGGINGS ................................................. 4 ANOTHER HISTORIC FIRST FOR THE TEVIOT VALLEY ........................................ 6 HERITAGE IN FOCUS PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION ......................................... 7 THE CAVALCADE IS MAKING ITS WAY BACK TO WAIKAIA .............................. 10 PROTECTING & PRESERVING OUR HERITAGE ......................................................... 11 HERITAGE TALKS: CHILDREN’S HEALTH & WELLBEING ON THE OTAGO GOLDFIELDS............................................................................................................... 11 A GRAVE, A TOMBSTONE, A BUSHRANGER AND SOME MYSTERIES IN THE HISTORY ...................................................................................................................... 13 TAKING AN HISTORIC COTTAGE INTO THE FUTURE ........................................ 15 A CLOCK AT AT SIXES AND SEVENS ................................................................... 17 TELLING OUR STORIES - ORAL HISTORY UPDATE ........................................... 18 MUSEUM UPDATES................................................................................................... 19 MEET OUR NEW TRUSTEES .................................................................................... 21 CONNECT WITH US ........................................................................................................ 22 Cover image courtesy of Mary Hinsen, Cromwell 1

HERITAGE MATTERS FROM THE CHAIR Another busy year is coming to an end. It was great to see our members and the wider community at our recent AGM. My Annual Report summed up our achievements over the last twelve months that I will briefly touch on here. Our membership has now grown to 29 organisations, all of whom have an interest in protecting, preserving and celebrating Central Otago's heritage. At the AGM, we formally welcomed six new members: • • • • • •

Cambrian Valley Trust Central Otago Oral History Group Clyde Community and Enviroschool's Ecological Restoration Group Cromwell & Districts Community Trust Historic Clyde Inc. Te Papa Tongarewa National Services Te Paerangi (NSTP)

We look forward to working with these groups to help them achieve their heritage objectives. The funding we receive from the Central Otago District Council has enabled us to recently leverage further funding from Central Lakes Trust and the Otago Community Trust for the Oral History Project. We have now completed 86 oral histories, prioritizing interviews with many of the region's well-known and respected elders. Our 'Heritage Talks' program continues to garner strong interest, with over 700 attendees at these events in the past year. We remain committed to continuing this program into the future. This quarterly newsletter, available in both print and online, serves as a valuable platform for our members to stay updated on the latest happenings in the heritage scene. It also provides a means for the sector to share their news, projects and upcoming events. Additionally, the newsletter plays a vital role in connecting us to the many stories that have shaped Central Otago's identity. Our website, news updates, and social media communications are also important channels for disseminating heritage news and events. The museum sector has been very active bedding in the Central Otago Museums100 Project. We are pleased to support all our museum members in the implementation of this ambitious project. 2

At the AGM, we farewelled three Trustees with resignations received from John Kerr, Kristy Rusher and Graye Shattky. I would like to thank these Trustees for their commitment to achieving better heritage outcomes for our members. Graye Shattky's leadership, enthusiasm and years of service to Central Otago heritage deserves further recognition. Graye was a key proponent for establishing the Central Otago Heritage Working Party in 2012, which was tasked with coordinating extensive community consultation and the subsequent implementation of a heritage plan for Central Otago. He was Chair of the Central Otago Heritage Trust for 10 years, stepping down from this role in December 2018. Since then, Graye has continued to be an active member of our Trust. Although he may not continue to sit at our table, I have no doubt he will continue to work passionately for heritage. We welcome three new Trustees to the COHT team - Pene Morris, Marco Creemers and David Hurd. You can find out more about their skills and experience on page 21. At my last presentation to the Council, I introduced two priorities that we are very keen to progress with them. Firstly, it has been 11 years since the 'Towards Better Heritage Outcomes' consultation document was developed by the community. This document has helped guide our goals and work program. We think it is now time to go back to the community to challenge and refresh this document. We are hopeful that the Council's current Community Vision project will provide a starting point for this process. However, we will still need to connect with you in more focused conversations about our combined aspirations for heritage. Secondly, our Trust has been advocating to the Council for the development of a Central Otago Arts, Culture and Heritage Strategy. We have been closely monitoring developments in Queenstown Lakes, where QLDC has partnered with the Three Lakes Cultural Trust to develop such a strategy. They have just completed extensive community consultation and are using this feedback to shape their direction. Again, we are hoping that Council's Community Vision project will offer a starting point for developing such a strategy in our district. Finally, on behalf of the Trustees, I thank our members for their encouragement and support and reassure them that we will be there to support them in 2024. David Ritchie, Chair - Central Otago Heritage Trust

CELEBRATING OUR HERITAGE A CHURCH ON HIGH AT SERPENTINE DIGGINGS The first service at the Presbyterian Church at Serpentine Diggings in 1873 was memorable for all the wrong reasons. The minister was late in arriving, probably due to bad weather and the treacherous Dunstan Road. After waiting some time, the congregation adjourned to the nearby hotel for refreshments and had been drinking heavily by the time the minister arrived. When the service finally opened with a well-known Psalm, the lively congregation demanded an encore! The minister declared that he would never again preach to such an ungodly lot!

The historic Presbyterian Church at Serpentine Digging. Photo courtesy of kiwisflythecoop.com

The Serpentine Diggings on the Rough Ridge Range were one of the most isolated goldfields and townships in Otago. At 1,000m above sea level, the Serpentine Church was the most elevated church in New Zealand when it opened in 1873. Today it is the only remnant of a once-bustling village. Following on the heels of the rush to Gabriels Gully in 1861, prospectors fanned out over Otago in search of gold. In 1863, alluvial gold was found on the Murison brothers' station at Waimonga Creek. The locality became known as The Serpentine, after the snake-like winding path of the creek. Some 500 miners rushed the area. A settlement quickly sprang up on a swampy flat in the high tussock lands. The small town consisted of two store-hotels, a church, blacksmiths, a cemetery, and huts of sod, wood and thatch with gardens and potato-storage. Due to the harsh climate, many miners would work the basin 4

each summer and retreat back towards Moa Creek when winter descended. Understandable, when it was recorded that the ice could be 50 centimetres thick! The late 1870s saw the opening up of hard rock mining by the Serpentine Quartz Mining Company. This first effort was short lived. The battery and waterwheel were moved to Deep Creek and extended to ten stampers, where ore was crushed for other mining syndicates. In 1890, this immense structure was then moved to its current site at Long Gully, although poor results led to the winding up of the Golden Gully Company in 1891. By the early years of the twentieth century, only a handful of residents remained. They eked out a living on old claims and worked for pastoralists who had taken over the land. Today, much of the town’s rich heritage - which includes tailings, water races, dams, sod pits and the remains of buildings - is hidden beneath the tussock.

Photo courtesy of the Department of Conservation.

From the old church, there is a 2.5-hour return walk to the old Serpentine Gold Mine stamper battery and water wheel, both of which have been recently restored.

ANOTHER HISTORIC FIRST FOR THE TEVIOT VALLEY Central Otago has a few "being the first" claims and one has now been immortalised on a Chorus tele-communications cabinet in Roxburgh. Alexander Graham Bell, a Scottish-born inventor, scientist and engineer, is credited with patenting the first practical telephone. He gifted two telephones to Teviot runholder John Cargill in London in 1876. The Roxburgh Postmaster erected a nine-kilometre wire between Teviot Station and the Roxburgh Post Office. Cargill speaking with the postmaster's daughter is believed to be the first telephone conversation in New Zealand.

New Zealand’s first telephone conversation by artist Sally Jory. 6

HERITAGE IN FOCUS PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION AND THE WINNERS ARE… With 427entries submitted in the Central Otago ‘Heritage in Focus’ photography competition, selecting the winners was no easy task. The competition’s focus was all about telling the stories of our heritage through imagery. Coordinated by the Central Otago Heritage Trust with support from Tourism Central Otago, the competition offered cash prizes for winners and two runners-up in the three entry categories: Professional Photographers, Amateur Photographers and Young Photographers (< 18years). Judges considered many factors, including technique, composition, tone, lighting and focus. Diverse interpretations of heritage were encouraged, covering natural heritage, built structures and cultural context. Most importantly, judges considered the emotive impact of each photo. Coordinating judge Eric Schusser said, “We spent a lot of time discussing the images in the process of deciding winners, runners-up and the highly commended entries. "We felt the final selection conveyed heritage in many different ways, including the landscape in its rich colours, day and night. Space, isolation, perspective, big skies, the early spartan buildings that still cling to the landscape, colonial mansions and hotels, connections to the land and tangata whenua perspectives through the legend of Kopuwai, flora and fauna, local engineering projects and empty roads these are all markers of our heritage.” "All entrants captured their individual impressions of these elements in black and white and colour to convey a unique perspective of our heritage, reminding us of why we are so lucky to live here." Central Otago Heritage Trust Coordinator, Maggie Hope, was impressed with the interest from young photographers. She said, “It was great to see local primary schools getting behind the competition. We hope these young people will continue to develop a passion for the art of photography.” “There were also many other remarkable competition entries other than those that were awarded prizes and commendations. These will eventually be made available for use via the Central Otago Heritage Trust and Tourism Central Otago’s visual library.” The winning photographs, as well as the photographs from other competition entrants, have formed an exhibition, now showing at Clyde Museum.

The Judging Panel Central Otago Heritage Trust and Tourism Central Otago wish to thank the following panel of judges for their time, professionalism and enthusiasm: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Eric Schusser - Photographic Artist Tim Hawkins - Photographer, Central Lakes Photography Kristy Rusher - Central Otago Heritage Trust Genevieve Chrystall - CODC Regional Identity Advisor

Professional Photographer Section Award winning photographer Mike Langford, from Twizel, was the winner in the Professional Photographer section. His winning shot captured the old cookhouse within the majestic Maniototo landscape.

Home Hills Cook House - Mike Langford (Winner: Professional Section). )

Amateur Photographer Section The Maniototo landscape featured once again in the winning shot for the Amateur Photographer section. The winner, Amy Hughes from Ranfurly, captured the moody morning light on the snow-clad farm buildings near the Hawkduns.

Snow at Home Hills Run - Amy Hughes (Winner: Amateur Section).

Young Photographers (<18 years) Seventeen-year-old Anabelle Beange of Alexandra won the Young Photographer section, with her ‘Pleated Hills’ photograph of the steep, shadowed, tussock laden hills near the Lindis.

Pleated Hills - Anabelle Beange (Winner: Young Photographer Section). 9

THE CAVALCADE IS MAKING ITS WAY BACK TO WAIKAIA The historic township of Waikaia will be hosting the Goldfields Cavalcade for the second time on 2 March 2024. Waikaia first hosted the Cavalcade back in 2003 and cavalcaders who were there are still talking about what a wonderfully hospitable host town they were! Expectations for the event are high, so the Host Town Committee has pulled out all the stops to ensure the welcome in 2024 will not disappoint. They even have the Topp Twins lined up to perform in the afternoon at the celebration markets and to open the hoedown later that evening. Twelve trails, made up of wagon, horse, mountain biking, running, tramping and walking trails, will start in various locations around Central Otago and Southland. They will traverse the high country for a week, converging at the finishing line at Waikaia. On the way, they will pass many historic areas including old gold mining sites such as 'Potters Number 2' nestled between the Umbrella and the Old Man Range or 'Switzers' just out of Waikaia. Other historic locations include old bridges and musterers huts on the iconic Glenaray Station. All trails will be supported by experienced trail bosses and a team of leaders. Many of the trails will also have a dedicated catering crew to keep the cavalcaders fuelled for adventure. If you’re interested in joining in on the fun, call the Otago Goldfields Heritage Trust team on 03 445 0111 or check out our website www.cavalcade.co.nz Terry Davis, Otago Goldfields Heritage Trust

Potters No .2, nestled between the Umbrella and the Old Man Ranges 10

PROTECTING & PRESERVING OUR HERITAGE HERITAGE TALKS: CHILDREN’S HEALTH & WELLBEING ON THE OTAGO GOLDFIELDS Life was anything but golden for many of the youngsters living on Central Otago’s goldfields. Children are not often thought of in the context of the Otago Gold Rushes. However, women and children were present on the Otago frontier from the very earliest days and were active members of their communities. Otago University’s Dr. Annie Sohler-Snoddy, a member of the Southern Cemeteries Archaeology Project, shared research as part of the Heritage Talks program at Clyde Museum last month to highlight how the littlest people can have big stories to tell about our past. Between 2018 and 2020, the University of Otago Department of Anatomy and Southern Archaeology conducted a series of excavations of unmarked graves at the ‘old’ cemetery at Ardrossan St in Lawrence (1861-1866) and at Drybread Cemetery near Omakau (mid to late 1800s). The aims of this project were to recover the unidentified dead, learn about their lives through scientific analysis of their remains and re-bury them with dignity and recognition. Some of the more poignant finds in their research were from the remains of babies and young children, which revealed telltale signs of arrested growth, dietary stress and disease. Dr Sohler-Snoddy said, “Children are important to bioarchaeologists, as they are uniquely vulnerable to economic, resource and climatic stressors, as well as infectious diseases. They are the barometer of health for the wider population.” Environmental toxicity was found in a Annie Sohler-Snoddy at the excavations. tiny snippet of hair from a burial plot of an infant at Lawrence’s Ardrossan St cemetery, which measured a mercury level of more than 10 times the recommended ‘safe’ limit. This exposure was not surprising, given that mercury was widely used in gold extraction at that time, and it likely ended up in waterways and household drinking supplies. Mercury-laced teething powders were also widely available. 11

Periods of arrested growth were also found in infant teeth. This occurred when the babies' teeth were developing in the womb, indicating stresses endured by pregnant women at that time. While the bioarchaeological evidence uncovered the health status of individual children, the trawling of hospital and death registers gave the bigger picture of life and the causes of death for the littlest members of the community. Archival research by Professor Hallie Buckley showed that infants aged two to six months were particularly vulnerable. The most common causes of childhood death in this age range were pulmonary and respiratory tract infections, typhoid, remittent fever and teething. The teething label was possibly an indicator of scurvy, with bleeding gums being a common symptom of this disease.

Data from Professor Hallie Buckley’s research.

In summary, Dr. Sohler-Snoddy said life for children, and the often-overlooked cohorts of women and Chinese miners, was stressful. “They had it tough, but families endured and stayed on.” That inherent drive to survive and thrive was captured in the final slide showing a young goldfields girl cuddling a Fox Terrier puppy, proving the old adage that ‘kids will be kids’ despite hardship. Lynda Gray, Trustee, Central Otago Heritage Trust

Image courtesy of Queenstown Lakes Museum. 12

A GRAVE, A TOMBSTONE, A BUSHRANGER AND SOME MYSTERIES IN THE HISTORY A headstone near the rotunda at Clyde Cemetery has often caught my attention, leaving me intrigued by its inscription. This headstone commemorates the deaths of William and Maria Ryan but is particularly poignant because it also includes the remains of their five children with no names, ages or dates of death mentioned. Below that, the death of Private Ernie Davis is also recorded. So, who were the Ryan family and their five children? And, why the memorial in the plot for a soldier who died in WW1? From what I’ve found out, William hailed from County Tipperary in Ireland and was born in 1840. His name appears in an advertisement in the Otago Witness on 24 August 1878: The Ryan family headstone at Clyde Cemetery.

“William Ryan of county Tipperary, Ireland, will much oblige by communicating with his brother Thomas Ryan, Mount Eccles, Macarthur. He left Ireland in 1857 by the Chance, and Codrington, near Yambuk, Victoria 1863 for NZ diggings. Last heard of in 1868.”

Indeed, there was a ship called Chance that left the UK on 6 June 1857 arriving in Victoria on 12 September - a voyage of 98 days. And indeed, there is a town called Codrington in Victoria, which nowadays has a population of 52. It achieved notoriety by being named after a bushranger called Codrington Revingstone who robbed mail coaches in the early 1850s. Under an alias of Henry Beresford Garrett, Codrington carried out further trail robberies on the Otago goldfields, particularly near the Maungatua Range near Outram. But that’s a topic for another story! William left that desolate place in 1863 and made his way to the Clyde area to take up gold mining. I haven’t been able to find out whether he travelled with his wife, but I’d suggest that, since Maria also hailed from Ireland, William either married young in his homeland or perhaps they met up later in Victoria or New Zealand. There are some differences in what is recorded in the CODC Cemetery records, and in the records of the Society of Genealogists two-volume information, which are held at the Clyde Museum. Both sources tell a sad tale of just how hard life was in Central Otago during the 1880s. 13

The first infant of William and Maria to pass away was Daniel, who died on 4 February 1880, aged 14 days, due to congestion of the lungs. He was buried the following day. Just over a year later, on 17 February 1881, another son, also named Daniel, passed away due to diarrhoea. Unfortunately, his age was not recorded. He was interred the day after his death. Tragedy struck again two years later when another child died on 7 January 1883. For reasons that are not clear, the infant was not buried in the family plot until three weeks later. Once again, details such as the age, name, or sex of the infant were not recorded. One year later, Patrick died at just 2 weeks old, with the date of his death loosely recorded as April 1884. Further calamity followed on 28 April 1885, when Edmund, aged 11, died of ‘decline’. By my calculation, this makes Edmund the first-born of William and Maria. This is where the mystery really deepens. The deaths above total the five young children, but the CODC records show another man is buried in the site. A Jas probably James - but also recorded as Thomas - was found dead in his hut while working as a rabbiter. His age is not recorded, so we have no easy way to find out just where he fitted into the family of William and Maria. Perhaps it was William’s brother Thomas, who had been searching for him years earlier in the Otago Witness? Further detective work confirmed that Maria died in 1906 of heart failure at the age 66. Her husband William, died on 12 March 1910, also of heart failure, after living in New Zealand for 46 years as a gold miner - a long way from his ancestral home in Ireland. The last mystery is the one of Private Ernie (Ernest) Davis also recorded on the headstone inscription. He was a Private in the NZ Army and died in action at Gallipoli on 9 August 1915 and is buried at ANZAC in Turkey. His parents were from Clyde, but his relationship with the Ryan family remains a mystery. What started as a sad inscription on a headstone has turned out to be the opening of a rabbit hole that led to some mysteries, connections with an infamous robber and an insight into the hard lives endured by those who first worked for gold in our region. While these hardy pioneers lie at rest, their stories carry on and that is exactly how it should be. Russell Garbutt - Trustee, Central Otago Heritage Trust

TAKING AN HISTORIC COTTAGE INTO THE FUTURE Vallance Cottage in Alexandra has emerged from winter hibernation, hosting two well-attended open days during September and October for the public to experience the authentic cosiness of a true pioneer home and see the reserve at its best. Over the winter, Central Otago District Council Property and Facilities Officer, Bex Snape, scoped out a maintenance programme for the 127-year-old mudbrick cottage, built by early pioneers William and Jean Vallance. The walls are showing signs of deterioration and need some fairly urgent TLC, which means the community may see some work happening in the coming months. “We’ve received valuable advice, with experts generously dedicating their time to provide a thorough understanding of what needs to be done to preserve the cottage. The plaster on the exterior, although effective in adding strength to the walls, is not the most breathable material, and the mudbrick inside tends to draw in moisture. We need to explore solutions that address this issue while remaining sympathetic to the durability and authenticity of the structure.”

Vallance Cottage was built in 1896-97 by early settlers William and Jean Vallance. 15

The work will involve removing the concrete around the cottage to prevent water from collecting underneath, which could be contributing to the recent deterioration. We are closely monitoring and recording moisture readings. “The situation is improving as we move into summer, and it’s been good to see people touring the entire cottage. There is normally all year-round access via the key code at the front door, where people can get a good view of the rooms through the Perspex doors we installed last year. However, actually being able to go into the rooms adds another layer to the experience of visiting Vallance Cottage.” In the past year, staff have been working on ways to make the 19th century cottage more interactive by using 21st century technology. QR codes will be placed at strategic points of interest around the cottage, enriching the visitor’s experience at this historic cottage and reserve. “Our aim is to enhance what you can see and feel. To do this, all you need is a mobile phone that can read QR codes. By simply pointing a phone at the QR code, visitors can automatically read or play back information. This will enable people to linger, soak up more of the experience and delve deeper into the back story about the cottage and the people associated with it.” “When you visit Vallance Cottage, reading the interpretive panel outside provides a good amount of information about the cottage. Once inside, you can't help but get a feel for the place and the people who lived there. It's in the atmosphere, the smells, the materials it is built from, and the various artifacts that have been carefully preserved.” Plans are afoot for several key events to be held on the cottage grounds in 2024, which could include a Vallance Family Reunion and a Heritage Day featuring restoration techniques for buildings of Vallance Cottage’s vintage. Follow the QR code to view the information and videos about the cottage and the surrounding reserve. The kitchen that once prepared meals for a family of ten

A CLOCK AT AT SIXES AND SEVENS Hayes Engineering - the historic place at Oturehua in Central Otago that became the cradle of ‘Number 8 wire’ innovation in the late 1800s - has a long history of thinking outside the square. And nowhere is this more apparent than the clock sitting on the Hayes Engineering shed wall. “People with a particularly keen eye will notice that the '7' on the clock face is actually an upside-down '2,' reversed for the purpose of keeping the time," said Property Lead Jemma Parker. “It’s just another example of the inventive genius that makes Hayes Engineering so special.” Once the home and property of millwright and engineer Ernest Hayes, Historic Hayes has become a kind of living shrine celebrating the inventiveness and ingenuity of Ernest, his wife Hannah and their descendants. The still-functioning workshop was originally used by employees to manufacture Kiwi farming equipment; like the now iconic wire strainer, which is still used on farms today. Hayes Engineering is open for people to explore every day over summer except for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. On Sundays, visitors can see the machinery in action in a tour led by Ken Gillespie, which provides an amazing opportunity to see the extraordinary range of ‘down on the farm’ mechanical technology in full flight. These guided tours take place every Sunday at 1.30pm (except the Sundays closest to Christmas and New Year). Tour admission is $20 per adult ($10 children Hayes Engineering’s famous clock under 14). Afterwards, visitors can explore the with its ‘2’ at sixes and sevens. beautifully restored 1920s mud brick Hayes homestead and grounds at leisure. The much-loved Hannah’s cafe and gift shop is also on-site, offering great coffee and fabulous home-made food. Bookings for the operational tour are essential. Please contact Hayes directly on 03 444 5801 or email hayes@heritage.org.nz 17

TELLING OUR STORIES - ORAL HISTORY UPDATE When Jim Walton left school in Christchurch, just a few days shy of his 15th birthday to take up a carpentry apprenticeship, he never would have thought that he’d become a respected historian and author. Oral history interviewer, Joan Lawrence, met up with Jim at his Bannockburn home to talk about his life and how he came to publish his first book at the age of 80. Jim has spent considerable time in all weathers roaming the Carrick Range, exploring its many features, and learning more about the local history. These wanderings inspired Jim to write "The Carrick Range, the story of an iconic Central Otago mountain range." This 316-page book covers everything from geology, Māori legends, the challenging gold rush years, the history of the large sheep stations, Chinese sojourners, pioneering women, to tourism.

Jim Walton

The interview also covers his eclectic career path, from carpenter to shipwright, a tunneller in the Snowy Range Scheme, and then on to become a teacher and apprenticeship facilitator. He gained a BA degree from Massey and an MA from Otago University and held important administrative positions in both Otago and Southland Polytechnics. Jim also recounts his time working for the New Zealand College for Seniors and Uenuku Murihiku, a Māori and Pasifika apprenticeship scheme in Invercargill, before striking out as a business consultant and facilitator. He and his wife, Diane, eventually retired to Bannockburn, with Jim building their house in Invercargill and shipping it north. Today, Jim still devotes his time to historic research and is a valued Trustee of the Cromwell Museum. Copies of Jim’s book can be purchased from Cromwell Museum and Paper Plus. You can listen to Joan Lawrence’s interview with Jim on the Central Otago Heritage Trust’s website by following this QR code.

MUSEUM UPDATES Maniototo Early Settlers Museum The museum is anticipating opening for the summer season, but there is still plenty of work to do before we open the doors! A grant was secured in October 2021 to upgrade the Archive Room, which was built in 1978. Unfortunately, Covid setbacks meant work couldn’t begin until 2023. The upgrade involves incorporating the original Naseby Borough County Council safe, and the kitchen and toilet area to make a larger space. A window, with a visitor activating light switch, allows a view into the The museum archive room gets an upgrade archives and a glimpse of bound Mt Ida Chronicles, Maniototo’s newspaper 1869-1926. The new Dexion shelves are being assembled to store the archive collection. Once completed, the state-of-the-art archive room will be sealed, heated, insulated and ready for another 100 years. The museum is grateful to the Transpower Community Care Fund for this most valuable renovation. Teviot District Museum Our volunteers have been working hard at the Teviot Lodge Museum constructing new exhibition spaces. Work is continuing in the main display area with the farming and wool story partitions well underway. Laurie Crossan has been busy building a partial replica of a rabbiter’s hut. Many European and Chinese were employed by early runholders as they battled to establish viable pastures for sheep farming. Despite various attempts to control these pests, the problem is still evident today with explosions of rabbits across Central Laurie Crossan building the rabbiter’s hut Otago in both country and urban areas. Rabbits were originally imported as sport for the ‘gentry’ and for meat, with little understanding of the ravages of the land that would eventuate over the following century and a half. 19

Clyde Museum An exhibition of the winning photographs from the Central Otago Heritage in Focus competition are showing at Clyde Museum throughout December and January. Other photographic entries are also being displayed digitally. Over the summer months, the museum will be open Tuesday - Sunday, between 1 - 4pm.

Central Stories Museum & Art Gallery Our galleries have been filled with some great artworks from local artists, and this trend will continue throughout the summer. We’re delighted to present a commemorative exhibition titled, 'A Garden is a Long Time,' featuring works from photographic artists Annemarie Hope-Cross and Eric Schusser. If you're looking to keep the children entertained over the summer, our holiday program includes exciting activities for youngsters, such as our popular heritage clue hunt and more. Keep an eye on our website for additional details. We're also pleased to announce that our shop now sells art and craft sourced exclusively from Central Otago artisans. You may find something special to fill the Christmas stockings!

Cromwell Museum Butterflies of Central Otago The beauty of life in transformation An exhibition celebrating the 15 Central Otago butterflies found in the wild, with contemporary artwork by Central Otago artists who have been inspired by the theme of butterflies and metamorphosis. Cromwell Museum, 18 December - 22 January. Red Admiral butterfly.

MEET OUR NEW TRUSTEES Central Otago Heritage Trust welcomes three new Trustees to the team: David Hurd and his wife Colleen live in Ophir, having moved from Auckland 14 years ago. For David, moving to Central was a case of returning home as he was born in Clyde. They purchased and restored the Category 2 listed building, Pitches Store in Ophir, which now operates as café, restaurant and boutique accommodation. David is, by profession, a barrister in private practice with 47 years of experience specialising primarily in commercial and civil litigation Pene Morris currently serves as the minute secretary for the Teviot District Museum committee. She actively contributes to the Museums 100 Project and plays a hands-on role in supporting the establishment of the new Teviot Lodge Museum. In addition to her involvement with the museum, Pene is Chair of the Central Otago Branch of the Otago Justice of the Peace Association. She balances her commitment to volunteer work around her property maintenance business. Marco Creemers lives at the old Earnscleugh Station homestead, known as Earnscleugh Castle. Marco worked for the Samson Corporation, which has a large portfolio of high-quality buildings in Auckland and was responsible for the completion of many projects including Ironbark on Karangahape Road and Geyser in Parnell. His experience in both commercial and heritage developments brings a deep understanding of the importance of built heritage and the processes needed to get things done.

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