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Friday 22 April 2022
Rockville gets Easter rolling
Mad scramble: Rockville Museum’s Easter Bunny distributes lollies to excited children on Sunday. Photo: Jo Richards. JO RICHARDS
Rockville Museum’s first Steam Up in some time attracted a good crowd of visitors on Easter Day. In the autumn sunshine that warmed the Aorere Valley, the scene was that of a summer country fair. Families were gathered on the grass front of the museum – parents and caregivers keeping a watchful eye as their charges bobbed and slid around on the bouncy castle. Less active but still keen, Harvey Kay from Nelson proved that you’re never too young to sit on an old tractor. The 18-month-old from Nelson seemed quite at home as he got to grips with the vast steering wheel on the vintage David Brown. Inside the building, visitors of all ages were absorbed in the enduring fascination of antiquated machinery. A couple of young Tākaka boys – Luke Cameron and Milzen
Ward – were hands-on with an old telephone exchange trying to figure out how the pre-smartphone generations made their connections. While the established exhibits continue to draw visitors, there are always more stories to tell about Golden Bay’s rich history. Tucked into the corner rooms near the museum’s entrance, the new Gold and Coal Mine display features old railway wagons, original tools and implements, plus a detailed illustrated history of the local mine workings. It is already proving a hit. “We’ve had some nice comments on the new gold and coal exhibition,” said Steam Up event organiser and museum treasurer Di-ana Win, who acknowledged the hard work behind the exhibition. “It took two months to set up with help from John and Suzy Hall, Kevin Riley and David Rhodes.” A few metres away, the ladies working
in the long-established Pioneer Kitchen – Robynne Jackson and Kay Riley – were offering traditional scones and sausage rolls, a hot cuppa, and sugar-free drinks. Outside, at the rear of the museum, Sheree Peters and Coby Heuvel from Collingwood were checking out the ancient Police lockup from when their home township was still called Gibbstown. But of all the attractions, the main event for many of the youngsters was the arrival of the Easter Bunny, aka Di-ana, with her basketful of goodies. When the excited children had gathered round, the generous treasurer threw handfuls of lollies high into the air – which signalled the start of a mad scramble. After the final lolly was claimed, Di-ana was clearly a very happy bunny. “It’s really good to see so many people. It’s turned out to be a really good day.” More photos on page 8
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Anzac Day is not immune to the impacts of Covid-19 – a reality that is reflected in the public remembrance gatherings. T h i s y e a r, A n z a c D a y l o c a l commemorations will be limited to simplified dawn services in Tākaka and Collingwood. This is despite recently moving to the Orange setting under the Covid Protection Framework. “We’re sticking with what we’ve planned,” says president of Golden Bay RSA Noel Baigent. “A lot of older folk are keen to stay at home; we’re not going to put people at risk.” The dawn service in Tākaka will start at 6am at the Memorial Park, while Collingwood’s commemoration will begin at 6.30am. There will a bugler at both events but no band or street march, and no refreshments afterwards. Noel says the public are welcome to attend the services and place a wreath and/ or visit the memorials later. “If people want to pay their respects, they can come along at their own time during the day.” President of the Collingwood branch of the RSA Paddy Gillooly explains the traditional community service, which normally attracts hundreds of people to the Memorial Hall, had to be cancelled. “We can’t have it because of the numbers.” But he says that provision is being made for all those who wish to commemorate the fallen. “We’ll make sure that there will be poppies left at the memorial so during the day, people can leave a poppy if they choose.” In the meantime, today is officially Poppy Day, with poppies available outside Take Note Tākaka and On the Spot Collingwood. Noel says that online donations can be made, as well as cash. “We have a QR code on the collection boxes which will take you to the [RSA] national website, which records where a donation is made.” Anzac Day Dawn Services, Monday 25 April: Tākaka Memorial Park, 6am; Collingwood Cenotaph, 6.30am. All welcome.
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