Don Pelvin’s lifelong passion culminates in new museum

A freshly painted sign on the tower above what was, until recently, the home of Property Brokers heralds the arrival of the Geraldine Military Museum. Renovations on the Talbot Street site are underway; GNews caught up with new owner Don Pelvin to discuss his passion for collecting military memorabilia.

Originally from the Temuka area, in 1972, Don was called up for national service in the Royal New Zealand Infantry, serving in New Zealand and overseas for 14 years. Don says, “During this time, I became interested in military equipment and memorabilia, and, in time, became a collector of all things military.” Don jokes that he bought the building because he was running out of space at home. He says, “The true vision for the project is “to display rare equipment for all to enjoy and to benefit the people of Geraldine. The museum has been made possible by my friends and fellow volunteers; it’s not a one-man project.” Not wanting to give too much away about the contents of the new museum, Don says that along with all the radios, uniforms and other memorabilia, one of the displays will be a Vietnam 161 Battery display which includes a Howitzer 106 M40 Recoilless rifle and a Ford M151 MUTT (Military Utility Tactical Truck). He says, “There will also be a children’s play area with hands-on military equipment and a vehicle that the children can sit in.”

With work progressing well, Don says the grand opening should be before Christmas.

DEANNE MARSDEN

It may be over four months until Christmas, but according to Anglican Parish Priest Hugh McCafferty, it is not too soon to start thinking about it. Rev Hugh says, “I am getting together a Christmas choir and a carolling we will goin the street, at the rest homes (if they’ll have us) and as part of a carol service.”

He and wife Fi have gathered together a collection of old favourites, as well as some contemporary New Zealand ones. Hugh says,

“We’ll leave ‘Jingle Bells’ to someone else and keep our focus on the Christian message. If anyone wants to join us, we’ll have a first meeting on Thursday, 24 August, 2pm at St Mary’s. We’ll sing mostly in unison though we do aim to find some harmonies to keep advanced singers engaged.”

Hugh is also planning a nativity play.

“Elaine Taylor of the Geraldine Community Arts Council has found us a terrific script.

We’ll have a read-through and then recruit some children. It will be a Messy Church/Arts Council cooperative venture, with a tentative date of Sunday, 10 December for an afternoon performance at St Mary’s Church.”

Interested in joining the Christmas choir?

Email hugh@anglicansingeraldine.co.nz or call 027 920 8751. Rehearsals begin Thursday, 24 August, 2pm at St Mary’s Church. MOLLY MALONE