White Crosses on the Waterfront

The first of one hundred and nine white crosses were installed on Tauranga's waterfront this morning. The crosses are being progressively installed between October 17 and November 8, each new group representing a month of the four-year war and the soldiers from Tauranga who died during that time. The public is invited to join cadets from the Western Bay of Plenty Cadet Unit in bringing the crosses out at dawn. On November 11, Armistice Day, there will be an 11am centenary service at Memorial Park marking the day and time the war ended in 1918.

All images Copyright and courtesy of Fiona Kean

Raymond John Baker (1890-1915)

Read more: http://tauranga.kete.net.nz/remembering_war/topics/show/2358-ronald-tracey-matheson-1874-1915

Frederick Hugh Dodson (1891-1915)

Read more: http://tauranga.kete.net.nz/remembering_war/topics/show/2321-frederick-hugh-dodson-1891-1915

Ronald Tracey Matheson (1874-1915)

Read more: http://tauranga.kete.net.nz/remembering_war/topics/show/2224-Raymond-John-Baker-(1890-1915)

Suffrage March, Katikati - 15 September 2018

Suffrage March, Katikati, 15 September 2018. Image: Fiona Kean

This weekend the sun shone on the women of Katikati as they came together to march for Women’s Suffrage. More than 200 women and children, and some men too, many dressed in period costume and holding banners, marched from Uretara Domain to the Katikati War Memorial Hall. While a number of the banners referenced the historic struggle for women’s suffrage, others carried contemporary messages highlighting challenges faced by women today, including ‘#metoo’, ‘pay equality’ and ‘support for midwives.’

Suffrage March, Katikati, 15 September 2018. Image: Fiona Kean

Those taking part were rewarded with friendly toots from passing cars. However, outside the Talisman Hotel, marchers encountered a vocal bystander telling them to ‘go home and get lunch ready!’ Few were phased by his taunts and the red camellias thrown outside the Memorial Hall suggested that it was all part of the re-enactment – red camellias having been worn by anti-suffragists 125 years ago.

Helen Clark at The Elms

Julie Green, The Elms, 7 September 2018
Photo courtesy of Fiona Kean

The Society was well represented at The Elms last week (Friday, 7 September) for the planting of three Kate Sheppard camellias by former Prime Minister Helen Clark. The occasion was organised to honour Alice Maxwell and the Women’s Suffrage movement currently celebrating its 125th anniversary. Society President and member of the Maxwell family Julie Green spoke of her great great Aunt’s commitment to the preservation of The Elms and fundraising for charities that helped others. Alice was also one of just two Tauranga women who signed the 1893 suffrage petition, the other woman being Margaret Galbraith.

Helen Clark and Debbie McCauley, The Elms, 7 September 2018
Photo courtesy of Fiona Kean

The camellias have been planted near the chapel and alongside the area currently being transformed into a stunning heritage garden. In the evening Helen Clark went on to speak at an event titled "Are We There Yet" that is part of a series of events organised by the "Suffrage 125" Tauranga Committee. For further information visit www.mytauranga.co.nz search word: Suffrage 125.

Monmouth Redoubt Historic Reserve Consultation

View north from Monmouth Redoubt, Undated, Postcard by unidentified photograoher
Image courtesy of Tauranga Heritage Collection, Hardy Collection

Tauranga City Council has commissioned a consultant to prepare a conservation plan for the Monmouth Redoubt Historic Reserve. A conservation plan is a "document that explains the significance of a site, identifies how that significance is vulnerable and sets out polices for retaining the significance in any new use, management regime or alteration." (Kate Clark)

Monmouth Redoubt and southern bank, pre-WW1, Postcard by unidentified photographer
The road that once connected The Strand to Cliff Road is seen clearly in this photograph.
Image courtesy of Tauranga Heritage Collection, Gifford Collection

On 24 July 2018, Tauranga Historical Society President Julie Green attended a workshop for stakeholders to discuss the plan, and the following day an open session gave the public an opportunity to discuss issues and concerns regarding the site. The conservation plan will be completed by the end of November.

In the mean time, if you are interested in contributing to the discussion, Tauranga City Council will shortly be adding a link to their ‘Have your say’ webpage at
https://www.tauranga.govt.nz/community/have-your-say/open-consultations-and-engagements

A further public consultation session will be held at the BOP Vintage Car Club Hall on Cliff Road, Tauranga between 11am and 1pm on Wednesday 19 September. All who have interest in the Redoubt are welcome to attend.

Omokoroa History Fest, 7th June 2014

Omokoroa History Fest
Saturday 7 June, 10.00am - 3.30pm
Settlers Hall, Omokoroa Road, Omokoroa

$30 entry, includes lunch and bus trip
BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL
Email - events@westernbay.govt.nz to reserve your space or phone 07 579 6510

Take a bus tour of historic sites in Omokoroa. Hear interesting stories and information from knowledgeable speaker.  Meet people who share your interest in things past.

Programme

10.00am    Morning tea
10.15am    Welcome – Kathy Webb, Jocelyn Hicks
10.20am    “Omokoroa the Past to the Present” Part 1.  Presented by Colin Pettigrew
10.50am    “Early Whakamarama History” – the Timber Mills. Presented by Ann Mackersey
11.20am    “Omokoroa Baches.” Presented by Colin Pettigrew for Chris Wright
11.40am    “The Harbour –the Life Blood of  Surrounding Communities.” Presented by Vivien Edwards
12.10pm    Lunch
1.30pm    Location Bus Trip Points of Interest
        1.    Omokoroa Country Estate-
        2.    Community Church
        3.    Gerald Crapp Reserve, Gellibrand House Site, Gellibrand Carving, Notices, Crapp Wharf, Wai Huri Pa Site, Walkway
        4.    Wharf, Bird notice, View Barge, Matakana Island, Motuhoa Island, Boy Roel
        5.    Bird Viewing Platform
        6.    Wall Estate, Holyoake,
        7.    Old Road connecting Omokoroa & Plummers’ Point
        8.    Barrett Store (1st Supermarket in the BOP)
        9.    Whakamarama & the Tramway, Railway Station   
        10.    Plummer’s Point early Omokoroa Wharf
        11.    Plummer Homestead - A Land Girl
        12.    Huharua Park
        13.    Ongarahu Pa
        14.    Old Highway
3.30pm    Return to the Settlers’ Hall

What's on in September

Statuette, Brain Watkins House

Monthly Meeting and Talk

Sunday 1st September 2013 2.00 p.m.
In the hall at the rear of the Brain Watkins House
Dr Peter Vickers, will talk to us about Cameron, Grey and the Invasion of the Waikato.

What's on in August

New Zealand's Family History Fair
Friday 2nd - Sunday 4th August
at Vodafone Events Centre, Manukau, Auckland
Free entry to the Exhibition Hall (List of Exhibitors)
98 seminars and 26 speakers (including 6 international) over three days.
Friday 2 August 1:30pm - 7pm, Saturday and Sunday 3 and 4 August 10am - 5pm
Cost: $5 per seminar or 5 for $20. Tickets on sale at the Fair from Friday 2nd August 1:30pm on a first come first served basis.
A wealth of topics covered, including: BDM Online, Genealogy Master Class, Research Methodology, Standards of proof, Beginners guide to Whakapapa research, Papers Past: The Art of Search, Digitising your family history, Family Photos, Photoshop Your Images, Scrapbooking your Genealogy, Facebook for Genealogists, DNA basics, WW100, Military Personnel Records, Finding Richard III.

Monthly Meeting and Talk - 'A few of my favourite things' by Stephanie Smith
Sunday 4th August 2.00 p.m.
in the Okahukura Room, first floor, Tauranga Library (please note change of venue).
by Stephanie Smith, Specialist Information Librarian in Research Collections, Tauranga Library, shows off some of her favourites from the library's archives and rare books collections. No raindrops, no roses, no whiskers, no kittens - just some fascinating items, including some you might not expect to find in a library. (Stephanie notes: If you went to the Friends of the Libraries' July 2013 meeting, you can miss this one.)


History Day - Katikati
Saturday 24th August, 10am - 3pm
at The Katikati Heritage Museum, 3 Wharawhara Road (cnr SH2), Katikati
Exhibitions, photos and working models of the early logging industry in Katikati ... plus:
- Brett Payne (Photo-Sleuth) will talk about How to extract critical historical information from old photographs
- Max Avery will discuss his research on Arthur Honeyfield including his involvement in past Harbour Boards
- The future for the Katikati Heritage Museum by Paula Gaelic
- A guided walk around Waterford, Katikati’s Historical Precinct by Rosalie Smith and Joan Boggiss
- A magic lantern show at the Katikati Heritage Museum
Cost: $25
Booking essential - To reserve a place email events@westernbay.govt.nz
Courtesy of Kathy Webb, Team Leader Community and Cultural Development, Western Bay of Plenty District Council

If you know of an event of significance to Tauranga/Bay of Plenty history that will take place in the next few months, please email me and I'll add it to this list. 

What's on in July

Kaimai air crash memorial (Courtesy of  NZ History)

Wednesday 3rd July - 50th Anniversary of the Kaimai Air Tragedy
Commemoration of the 50th anniversry of the crash of a DC-3 in the Kaimai Range, with the loss of all 20 passengers and 3 crew.  A service will be held at the memorial plaque on the Old Te Aroha Road (600m SE of Aramadale Rd intersection) at 9.00 a.m. (Courtresy of The Weekend Sun)

Oliver Macey Quintal's headstone on Norfolk Island
Image © Copyright and courtesy of Vivien Edwards

Sunday 7 July 2.00 p.m. - Monthly Meeting and Talk
in the Society Hall at the rear of Brain Watkins House
Vivien Edwards will give a talk to the Society, Oliver Macey Quintal: How did a Pitcairner Become a Barrister in Tauranga?  This replaces Dr Peter Vickers' postponed talk on Cameron, Grey and the Invasion of the Waikato, which he will deliver at a late date to be advised.

If you know of an event of significance to Tauranga/Bay of Plenty history that will take place in the next few months, please email me and I'll add it to this list.