CHB settlers come alive

Drawn by a rare and valuable portrait of Waipukurau’s founder Henry Russell, about 130 people attended the opening of the Waipukurau— Celebrating 150 Years exhibition at the CHB Settlers Museum in Waipawa on March 19.

“It was a huge success,” said museum curator Jana Uhlirova. Many of the crowd were dressed in period costume for the opening, including special guests who were transported from Waipukurau to the museum in vintage cars.

“We had two ladies coming from Palmerston North especially for the opening in Victorian costumes they made themselves. The ride in the vintage cars added to the atmosphere. It felt very special and worth [the effort] of organising,” she said.

Jana said people were impressed by the portrait of Waipukurau founder Henry Russell by the renowned 19th century artist Gottfried Lindauer, and the exhibition.

“The cut-outs representing the early settlers of Waipukurau, and the model of the Ruataniwha Street with shops circa 1933, lifted the visual aspect of the photographs and text display to amore playful level,” she said.

Jana said the feedback from museum chairman Hans Dresel had been positive.

“He told me that it is my best exhibition I have organised so far.

“I had a team of fantastic volunteers who were enthusiastic, dedicated and hardworking, and that made a huge impact. So a big thankyou to all of them.”

The exhibition also launched Fading Memories: Waipukurau— Our town from 1920 to 1935 by the late Jessie MacKenzie Hamlin, which Jana said was selling well. Copies are available for $30 from the museum. The exhibition runs until October 31.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED MR AND MRS: Charles and Jan Nairn dressed up as Henry Russell and his wife.

PHOTOS: WARREN BUCKLAND. GRAND OPENING: CHB Settlers Museum chairman Hans Dresel, curator Jana Uhlirova and committee member Ken Hamlin in front of the portrait of Waipukurau founder Henry Russell at the exhibition opening.

IN COSTUME: Nicola Tenby and Liane Rowe both travelled from Palmerston North for the exhibition opening where they wore Victorian-period costumes they hadmade themselves.

MODEL TOWN: The crowd looks down at the model of Ruataniwha Street with shops circa 1933.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED. JOY RIDE: Connor and Eryn Nairn about to take a ride in the vintage cars.

VINTAGE TAXI: Brian Connor of Ashley Clinton, right, in period costume gets ready to board a vintage car to ride from Waipukurau to Waipawa.