RAKAIA—Mid Canterbury

SALMON CAPITAL OF NEW ZEALAND

HISTORY PROJECT

1856 – 2006  

 4th and 5th November 2006

 

History Celebrations Coming Together

 

`Pencil in' the first weekend in November when our community celebrates the 150^th year of European settlement.  Several teams of volunteers have been diligently planning the weekend over the past six months or so.  From 10.00 am on Saturday 4^th November a photographic exhibition and other historic displays will be on show in the Community Centre where visitors can also enjoy Devonshire teas.

 

A Grand Parade featuring a number of floats from local community groups will assemble at the Rugby Clubrooms by 2.00 pm before travelling along Railway Terrace and up Elizabeth Avenue to the Sports Domain where there will be a giant family picnic with all sorts of entertainment including olden day games, e.g. sack races, etc..  Families will be encouraged to bring along a picnic tea, with barbecues and hotdogs available for purchase before the evening will conclude with a monster Fireworks Display organised by the Rakaia Lions Club.

 

A Heritage Trail, that will take pedestrians past sites and buildings of historic significance will be unveiled on the weekend.  On Sunday the Photo exhibition will remain open and a combined Church Service will be held in the Community Centre.

 

This is just a sample of the weekend's events.

 

Residents are encouraged to enter into the spirit of the weekend by dressing in Period Costume.  Those who know of relatives or old friends who may have left the District and who would like to participate in the weekend please let them know.  The more, the merrier!!

 

Rakaia and the surrounding district will celebrate 150 years of settlement over the weekend of 4 and 5 November 2006.

 The events committee has put together an exciting draft programme, with an emphasis on family entertainment following a ' Heritage Theme "

 Clubs and community groups are all invited to participate in the Grand Parade on Saturday afternoon, 4 November 2006.

 Volunteers will be needed for a wide range of tasks and anyone interested in being a part of this exciting weekend should note now.

The History Project continues to gather momentum. The oral history seminar will take place early Jan 06, followed by interviews of those who have indicated their willingness to contribute. The restoration of the Bridge Crossing Keepers Hut is being actively pursued. A register of all the historical material that has been donated and lent is being established and specific writing projects are being investigated.

 

  150 years ago next year the first accommodation house was built in Rakaia and a committee has been formed to organize celebrations and oversee a comprehensive history of the district.  The area to be covered will include both sides of the river from Te Pirita, Mead, Bankside, Northbank, Dorie, Chertsey, Somerton, Rokeby to Barrhill originally called the “Rakaia Riding”

  Before a history can be written, assessment of all previously published books, pamphlets, club histories and newspapers will be undertaken.  If anyone in the community has any historical material, such as programmes, club histories or minutes, old photos, perhaps a family diary or business records which may be of interest, please contact one of the committee listed below.

  A series of events is being considered for 2006 running from April to November catering for a range of ages and interests and a special sub committee is being formed to co-ordinate activities.

  The present committee is Laurie Cromie, Edward Oakley, Errol Stewart, Ken and Miriam Cutforth, Guy Cornelius, Faye Taylor, Carolyn Nordqvist, Elma Hobson, Carol Johns, Paul Taylor, Sally Davey.

Do you have any items of interest for the project,

if so please email: history 

Rakaia History Project