CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

On July 15th this year, The Otira Tunnel Centenary, ‘Through The Alps The Ōtira Railway Tunnel’ book launch will take place in the Arthur's Pass Community Centre. Everyone is welcome, and wine and cheese will be supplied.

The Centennial of the Ōtira Railway Tunnel, which has linked the East and West for 100 years (1923 - 2023) is also being celebrated with events at Ōtira on Friday, August 4th and more events in Arthur’s Pass on the Saturday.

When the Tunnel was built hundreds of workers lived in primitive conditions at the Arthur’s Pass and Otira ends of the Tunnel. To show what those conditions were like, a replica of a single man’s hut has been built to display at the centennial celebrations.

The hut will be at the Western Tunnel mouth where visitors at the celebrations will be taken by bus to the site of one of the construction camps. In preparation for the Otira Tunnel Centennial celebrations, children from several schools have been painting the pedestrian subway which allows access to the Otira Railway Station.

Schools including Gloriavale, Springfield and Lake Brunner have created works that will be protected by a special sprayed on coating.

Register at Eventbrite to be part of the day, including a photo display, a guided trip to the Ōtira Tunnel viewing area, lunch (supplied) and complimentary tea and coffee.

The Tunnellers’ Shindig will take place at the Bealey Hotel, Arthur’s Pass on August 5th. The band for the evening will be ‘The Eastern’, which will provide a rolling, rambling, shambling, family hoedown atmosphere. Tickets are limited to 120 people and will include supper. Tickets are non-refundable.

A limited edition gold medallion, specially minted for the Otira Tunnel Centennial, has almost sold out.

The medallion is a replica of one presented to the Prime Minister, Sir William Massey when the Tunnel was opened. The medallion has a representation of the original design on one side.

The 250 medallions have been created by the Rail Heritage Trust and Zenith Coins, though their representative in

Greymouth.

KiwiRail has purchased a large number of the gold coins. A further 100 coins have been ordered in silver.

The original medallion presented to Sir William Massey, is held in the Massey Collection in Palmerston North.

For more information visit: Facebook - Ōtira Tunnel Commemorations 2023, email: otiratunnel2023@gmail.com or to register for events visit: www.eventbrite.co.nz

Waddington Turns 150

An advertisement in the Lyttelton Times found on Papers Past website has led to the discovery that the little town of Waddington is about to turn 150 years old. The advert promoted the upcoming sale of sections in Waddington by Auction on Tuesday, July 22nd, 1873 with auctioneers Messrs H Matson & Co.

The township was named after William Waddington , who bought the land in 1873 and laid out the plan, dividing it into building sections. The area was part of the Homebush run previously owned by John Deans. A small group of local residents have come together to create a celebration of Waddington for past and present residents and all those who are interested in the township’s local history on Saturday, July 22nd, 2023. A guided Waddington Walk with local Hazel Wheeler will start at 11am from the St John’s Camp on Waddington Road. The Walk will be followed by a pot luck lunch at the camp from 12pm2pm, where everyone can meet up and share memories. People are encouraged to bring along their photos for a show and tell, and there will also be a pamphlet, with a map showing early locations of homes and businesses, available for sale for a gold coin donation.

Waddington has a village-like atmosphere and has recently seen a number of new residents move into the area along with some new builds. Several historic buildings still remain including local landmark Pine House, originally the butcher shop; two Cornish miners’ cottages; the Old Parsonage built in 1881; and the former Malvern Public School built in 1875. The township has its own Facebook page and newsletter, The Waddington Express, for its residents to provide neighbourly support.

Youth Hub Opened

A live DJ, fades and braids and even a talking car were part of a fun afternoon celebrating the official opening of the new Selwyn Youth Hub, based in Rolleston Community Centre.

A steady crowd of visitors enjoyed the afternoon of celebrations with KITT the Knight Rider car, food, drink, activities and competitions. Representatives from the wide range of service providers and Selwyn’s four high schools also attended.

The Youth Hub is a collaboration, bringing together youth services and organisations from around the community, including The Collective Trust,

Youth Town, Family Planning and Te Tahi Youth, to deliver services and programmes dedicated to young people aged twelve to twenty four years old. The Hub idea and the services provided were based on needs identified by Selwyn young people and by the principals at the four Selwyn high schools. The services are designed to help young people grow, thrive and feel connected in the Selwyn community.

Services will range from health services, counselling, career advice, education and training, through to events, activities and courses parenting and youth courses, learner driver courses, drug and alcohol counselling sessions, art classes, te reo Māori classes and waiata sessions.

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