Rugby Museum hosting the third Jamboree
Some of Peter Bush’s image collection will be on show
The Palmerston Northbased New Zealand Rugby Museum will again host rugby-minded people for Rugby Jamboree on April 13 and 14.
This will be the third edition of the biennial Rugby Jamboree at the Te Manawa Museum of Art, Science & Heritage.
If you have a collection worth bragging about, a pet project to show off, an idea for a book, a growing website or a much-needed database, come along and share. Poets, musicians, playwrights and quilt makers are welcome too.
During the Jamboree there will be a meeting for members of the Association of Rugby Historians and Statisticians with a suggested topic, “Planning the future for honouring the past of rugby”.
On Saturday there will be an entire gallery or hall for people to display their collections and other items. It will be open to the public.
Sunday will open up for presentations.
Attendees will have a chance to see some of the late Peter Bush’s collection and hear from the project archivist.
How will the museum go about preserving 300,000 images and what will they do with them?
Bush was legendary in rugby circles. He was a photographer with an adventurous soul.
Born in Auckland and raised in the small community of Kumara, on the West Coast of the South Island, Bush loved the outdoors.
As a young man, he joined the merchant navy and travelled the world. Back in New Zealand, he enjoyed tramping.
Taking his camera with him he began a career in photography. Coming from a rugby background (his uncle Ron Bush was an All Black), he became recognised for snapping some great rugby moments.
However, Bush was much more than just a rugby photographer. He photographed major New Zealand events such as the Maori land march, the royal visits and the Wahine disaster.
Outside work, his engaging personality and stories of his adventures endeared him to any listener.
Hardworking Bush was awarded the gold bib by New Zealand Rugby allowing him sideline access to any rugby game.
He died in December 2023. His collection of photos, estimated to be more than 300,000, was received by Te Manawa Museum in partnership with the New Zealand Rugby Museum and the Bush family.
Project archivist Evan Greensides will speak at Rugby Jamboree III about the huge task of making the Peter Bush photo collection available for future use.
For more information, visit Rugby Jamboree on Facebook. For inquiries or to confirm attendance, email stephen@rugbymuseum.co.nz, phone 06 358 6947 (8.30am-5pm) or message The New Zealand Rugby Museum on Facebook.