www.times.co.nz
16 — Botany and Ormiston Times, Thursday, November 10, 2016
aviation accident
National memorial proposed for Mt Erebus crash dead I
mportant initiatives are being taken to plan for a national memorial for the 257 people who died in the 1979 Mt. Erebus air accident of Air New Zealand McDonnell Douglas DC-10 ZK-NZP, Flight TE901. The national memorial, planned to be ready for the 40th anniversary in November 2019, will be a special place for families affected by the tragedy, and for New Zealand to remember the accident. A voluntary advisory group, with Lady June Hillary as Patron, is advocating for the new national memorial. There is presently no public memorial to the Erebus accident where all 257 names are listed together. The airliner crash is still New Zealand’s worst peace-time accident. National memorial spokesperson, aviation chaplain and historian, Rev Dr Richard Waugh, of Howick, reports that the 40th anniversary in November 2019 will be a very suitable time for the opening of a new national memorial. “The Mt Erebus accident with 257 fatalities - 237 passengers and 20 crew - is still New Zealand’s worst civil disaster. “At the time it was the world’s fourth worst aviation accident,” Dr Waugh said. “New Zealand as a nation
continues to be profoundly affected by the tragedy and it is a pastoral and public oversight that nothing has yet been done to establish a national memorial to the Mt Erebus accident victims, especially for the many families involved.” Older New Zealanders will remember where they were on the evening of November 28, 1979 when the news came through that an Air New Zealand Douglas DC10 was missing on a scenic flight in Antarctica. Memories come to mind of the early speculative news reports, updates about the fuel running out, the grim waiting, and then the first chilling images; the black smudge on the uphill slope, the impact imprint of the wide body jet on the ice, the burnt-out wreckage in millions of pieces, the heavy undercarriage assembly tossed aside and the dirtied Koru symbol still visible on the smashed tail assembly. The tragic accident on Mt. Erebus generated an air accident report, a Royal Commission of Inquiry, countless newspaper stories and articles, many books, and television documentaries. Dr Waugh said neither he nor advisory group members have any intention to refer to or discuss the cause of the accident, and that no location for the national memorial or funding plan has yet been
National memorial spokesperson, aviation chaplain and historian, Rev Dr Richard Waugh, of Howick, reports that the 40th anniversary in November 2019 will be a very suitable time for the opening of a new national memorial. Photo supplied/NZhistory.net.nz
decided while early consultations are taking place. The advisory group said: “It is now time to put the controversy of the accident to one side, and focus on a national memorial to those who died; a special place for families and for all New Zealanders to remember.” In many ways it is a glaring omission that no national memorial has been mooted until now, as many other more recent disasters have their own national memorials, including for the Pike River Mine accident and the Christchurch earthquake victims, the group said. There are a number of smaller Erebus memorials; a
Snapshots
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commemorative cross and sculpture at Scott Base, Antarctica; designation of the crash site as an Antarctic Specially Protected Area; a memorial and garden of remembrance at Auckland’s Waikumete Cemetery for the 16 passengers who were unidentified and the 28 passengers who were never found; a nearby cherry tree and plaque for the 24 Japanese passengers; a plaque memorial to the crew members at Auckland International Airport; a memorial window at St Stephens Anglican Church in Whangaparoa, a memorial bench at the Lower Hutt Rose Garden; a memorial window and book of remembrance at
➤ Community notices Ice dance
Overcome space, and all we have left is Here. Overcome time, and all we have left is Now.
歡鷗 Taranaki Seagulls 李天佑 2016年9月攝於New Plymouth的著名雪山腳下一湖泊處。 Nikon ：D800 、F211、1/2000秒。
Sunday, November 13, 4.45pm7.15pm. The Allegro Ice Dance competition, Paradice Ice Arena, Botany. This unique fun competition, where skaters may use props, will show off local skaters; artistic and creative skills, where choreography and interpretation are all important. There will be solo and group performances. Spectators welcome. Only $5 adult, $3 children under 12yrs, $12 family (two adults/two children or one adult/four children). Remember to dress warmly and bring a blanket! Author of Abundant Motherhood, Yolanda Alvares will be hosting a free workshop at the Botany Library on December 2. Photo supplied
Empowering mums
餘輝 Muriwai Beach Sunset Mikko 2016年6月6日傍晚攝於Muriwai Beach
David Soh 357 0922 | 021 488 525 email: info@mpages.co.nz
Auckland’s St Matthew-in-the-City Church; and a sculpture at Air New Zealand’s Auckland headquarters. “There are several smaller memorials, mainly in Auckland, but there is no significant place where all 257 names are publically remembered together; where people can gather to have special times of contemplation, prayer and reflection. Such a place is much needed,” Dr Waugh said. “Surviving spouses, siblings, and children of the victims are aging and many are asking for a national memorial to the accident, in time for the 40th anniversary.” While some people have suggested they wait until the 50th anniversary in 2029, the advisory committee’s view is that waiting longer would be uncaring and insensitive to so many older relatives.” “Our advisory group is in touch with many surviving spouses and siblings and other close family, who are now in their 70s and 80s, and who would very much like to have a proper national memorial to the air accident. Such a national memorial will be a sacred set-apart place where families and others can gather on special remembering occasions.” ➤➤See the new website for more information: www. erebusnationalmemorial.nz
‘Abundant Motherhood: empowering mums to empower their kids,’ free parenting workshop by Yolanda Alvares. The workshop is designed for mums of Tween kids aged between 8-12 years. Yolanda who currently resides in Melbourne, where she runs events and workshops empowering parents and kids, was a resident of Botany for 10 years. The one hour interactive workshop followed by an hour of Q&A, Yolanda will help mums connect with their true selves; provide techniques towards active parenting and empower mums to guide kids to recognize their unlimited potential. At the Showcase room at Botany Library on Friday, December 2 from 5-7pm. Registrations required.
Keep your community safe Please remember to make sure that you lock your vehicle and remove any items from sight. Keep your house secure and keep valuables out of sight of the windows and doors. If you are interested in crime prevention, observant and would like to assist us in making your community a safer place to live and work in, please contact us. We need more volunteers to help. Please email margaret. westwood@botanycwp.co.nz.
Forest & Bird
South Auckland Forest & Bird meets Monday, November 14, 7.30pm. Dr Matt Rayner, curator of land vertebrates at the Museum, will talk on a related subject. The Museum Collection & Seabirds of the Hauraki Gulf. Meet at Haseler Hall, All Saints church, Selwyn Road, Howick. All welcome.
Garden society
Papatoetoe Garden & Floral Art Society Inc meets on Tuesday, November 22, Wesley Methodist Church Hall, 7.30pm. Cut flowers, floral art on display, trading table and supper. Visitors and new members welcome. Contact Rosemary 278-2223.
Grief and Loss Support Services: We are looking for companions/ facilitators for our Seasons for growth grief and loss programme in local schools and after school programmes in 2017. You would have a personal experience of loss and grief, and be available during school hours for two hrs a week over a school term. These programmes are open to the community at no charge and are non-religious. The initial training will be held next February 2017. For further information please ph Christina and Lesley 533-0222 Monday or Wednesdays and leave a message.
Genealogists
The final meeting for 2016 of the Howick Branch of the NZSG will be held on Saturday, November 12 at St Andrews Church Centre, Vincent Street, Howick at 1.30 pm. Author Tessa Duder, will be speaking about Sarah Mathew, explorer, journalist and Auckland’s ‘First Lady’. Door charge $5. Visitors welcome. Members a plate please. Phone 576-4715 or 576-5400. This is a free community noticeboard for non-profit groups. Please email notices to bot@times.co.nz. While every effort is made to run the notices, volume and space restrictions may mean events may not run.