Crowd steamed up at Bushtown
The success of Bushtown Waimate’s annual Steam Up Day proved there’s enough demand to justify a $6.5 million upgrade to the site.
Bushtown chairman Allan Laurie said the committee are in the midst of reviewing a 10-year plan to build an auditorium, refurbish the church, hire professional staff, and keep the site open year-round as opposed to once a month.
‘‘It’s a fairly ambitious plan. It’s very exciting to be chairman for this,’’ Laurie said. ‘‘We need to take our progress to people who might want to fund that.’’
Growing interest in the heritage site – which celebrates Waimate’s history as a sawmill town – was evident at the third annual steam up day from 10am to 4pm on Sunday, he said.
‘‘We’re doubling numbers every year,’’ he said.
‘‘It was 1200 last year and at one o’clock we were already at that number. It’s lovely to see such a great turnout.’’
The event boasted 38 stalls, 20-25 historic tractors, and about 15 pieces of steam equipment – including a 132-yearold steam engine that operated commercially until 1990.
‘‘The interest is in feel, taste, smell. It’s experiencing things of the past, the bygone activities.’’
Laurie said those responsible for restoring the vintage machinery ‘‘get quite a thrill from people coming along and enjoying their work’’.
The Bushtown Waimate committee, formed in October 2002, was allocated land by the Waimate District Council to develop a tribute to a key part of the town’s history – with plans drawn up in mid-2003.
History covered at the spot spans from the 1860s to 1920s. Visitors can explore old buildings, and learn about the 1878 fire that destroyed the Totara forest, a few bush mills, and more than 50 homes.
Outside event days, the site is open on the last Sunday of each month.