Volunteers geek out over capital’s history
It’s the perfect occasion for history buffs.
Preparations are ramping up for this year’s Wellington Heritage Week and two university students are eager to share their knowledge of World War I.
Victoria University masters students Ashley Tvrdeic and Kate Gallaher already volunteer as guides at the city’s Great War Exhibition but will put together a talk on different aspects of the war this October for Wellington Heritage Week.
While studying, Tvrdeic looked at topics surrounding ‘‘enemy aliens’’ – citizens from ‘‘enemy’’ countries living in New Zealand during the war.
‘‘I focused on the German population, mainly around Wellington ... [Germans] went from being ordinary members of society to outcasts and suspected spies.’’
At the time, some gung-ho citizens formed the Women’s Anti-German League and protested about the employment of Germans and those of German descent in the armed forces.
‘‘It’s such a foreign concept to people today, having a bunch of women running around being racist,’’ Tvrdeic says.
Luckily, it wasn’t a very successful group.
Meanwhile, Gallaher will be looking at the battle of Le Quesnoy – one of the last major engagements that involved New Zealand troops.
Today, streets in the French town carry New Zealand names and a memorial to Kiwi soldiers was erected in Le Quesnoy.
A self-confessed history geek, she couldn’t resist offering to talk about history.
This year, Wellington Heritage Week will run from October 22 to 28 as community organisations and individuals showcase the city’s history, its stories, people and places.
It is run by the non-profit Wellington Heritage Trust, with sponsorship from Wellington City Council and other groups.
Last year, 24 events were held in the city, from an open day at St Gerard’s Monastery to archeological walking tours. Lucky punters could also go behind the scenes at the Basin Reserve and Antrim House.
Organisers are on the lookout for event hosts this year – whether they’re conservation groups, building owners or social groups – to showcase our heritage.