Waimate keen on White Horse as a district symbol, not wallabies
The voices of schoolchildren singing the Waimate Song filled the air as the nearly $500,000 redevelopment of the district’s White Horse monument was opened yesterday.
The song followed speeches from the district’s mayor, Craig Rowley, and Department of Internal Affairs manager for community advisory services, Garry Lay, about the project spearheaded by the group, Waimate2gether.
Project manager for Waimate2gether, Jo Sutherland, said it had been a team effort over the past 18 months and although some members had had Covid-19, they had experienced few delays with the project.
‘‘It’s all worked,’’ Sutherland said. ‘‘Everyone’s put hard work into it, and we had a lot of local contractors work on the project, the Rotary Lions and Waimate District Council, all the schools and I think it has brought in all the community.
‘‘It’s nice to see all the kids now taking ownership with their Pous [Pou
Kuras]. They are the next generation to come. So, I think its lovely that they are into it as well.’’
Sutherland said the opening ceremony felt like the last piece of the puzzle was in place finally.
The group’s chairperson, Rob Smith, presided over the event which also included a blessing of the Pou Kuras [information poles], designed by schools around Waimate and members of the Waihao Marae.
Members of the Waimate community, Rotary, Lions and Robbie Boulton who donated a 1954 Chevrolet hubcap to replace the eye of the White Horse monument also attended.
Student representatives from each school in the district also spoke about the meaning of each of their Pou Kuras.
Rowley said the White Horse has been on the hill for decades and said it was really important to remember that it was the clydesdale horses that worked the land in Waimate.
Rowley said they were aiming to get away from the wallaby symbol for Waimate and said they would much rather be associated with the White Horse.
The Waimate Song’s producer, Louise Stringer, a teacher at Waihao
Downs School, said she was hesitant at first and shy to write the song.
‘‘I got asked to do it again, and I said yes,’’ Stringer said.
‘‘I sat down at home and did some research about Waimate and came up with a few ideas.
‘‘The hardest part was coming up with the tune so I used the tune from Country Roads as it was easier for the kids.’’
Stringer said she spent about 4-5 hours to come out with the song for the ceremony.
Words to the Waimate Song are: Slow moving waters of Waimate, Mt Studholme, Waihao River,
Life here is peaceful and serene, Wallabies roam here, running wild and free.
A country town we call home
It’s the place we belong, Hunter Hills behind our town Waimate’s White Horse standing proud.
All our history, ‘‘Fathers of Waimate’’ Chief Te Huruhuru, Michael Studholme, Waituna, Wainono and Waihao
Circle the best little town that I know.