Otautau School Photos

Over the last couple of weeks, we've been posting photos of Otautau School classes to our Facebook page. Otautau School donated the photos in 2009. The photos cover the 1960s to the 2000s. They aren't a complete set as some years are missing but still a very substantial and valuable set.

We decided to post them online for two reasons: 1) to continue to make our collections more accessible to the public; and 2) to gather names of the students as most of these photos did not come with names.

Collecting names is a timely kind of exercise - if you wait too long, people won't remember the names. So, we took a chance to put them on Facebook not really knowing how the majority would respond.

Thankfully, the response has been really positive. People are having a laugh and getting their memories stirred, and they are contributing the names we'd hoped for.

Thanks to all who have helped and participated in this informal naming project.

We're always on the lookout for more school photos either from Otautau School or any of the other schools nearby namely Fairfax School, Ermedale School, Aparima School, Gladfield School, Merrivale School, Waikouro School, Isla Bank School and any others I've forgot to mention!

Note: We will open on Sunday, 4 October 2015, 2pm to 4pm.

Doris Cottage

Mrs Emily Menzies, Doris Cottage, 1958

The same research inquiry about the Harraway painting mentioned in the previous post originally started as a question about Doris Cottage. Where was it in Otautau? The original inquiry actually appeared (on 27 July) on the Otautau, New Zealand Facebook page, so there was a ready audience to tackle the question. We also asked some key museum people. The inquirer supplied a photo (above) which helped to verify the location and information about her grandmother who lived there.

Doris Cottage was a wooden house situated at 47 Queen Street, right next to the first Presbyterian Church. The house is no longer there. A subsequent house was built but then eventually relocated leaving an empty section today. We would like to know more about Doris Cottage such as how it got its name. If you have any information please let us know via email or the Otautau Museum Facebook page. Thank you.

Note: We're closed for the winter but will open again in October 2015. You can request an individual visit by request if you would like to see the museum in person.

Update

AGM
The annual general meeting is on Tuesday, 10 June, 7:30pm. We've been fortunate to have had Jim Carson as our Wednesday person keeping the museum open. He's a very gregarious sort who loves reminiscing with people. He's lived all around the place but made a special effort to get to know Otautau's history when he moved here last year. He's indicated that he will be moving to Dunedin, so we are looking for someone who might like to take his place. If not, we may have to close on Wednesdays.

Spare time and want to lend a hand? How about helping with displays, collection, roster or publicity? Your time and talents would be most welcome.

World War I
We recently got a temporary loan of items from the Otautau RSA for our military display. If you have anything of interest from World War I that you'd like to share with the public, please let us know. We are working in partnership with the RSA on a World War I project, and that has been very interesting and rewarding. More later on World War I.

Facebook
We're sharing photos from our collection on the Otautau Facebook page. Stop by and have a look! Lots of comments and interaction happening there. It's been great seeing how big the audience is. There are almost as many people on the Otautau Facebook page as who live in Otautau itself - 581 likes vs 672 population. It's been interesting to see what people remember when they see a photograph and how different life was in Otautau only a few decades ago. Best of all, people are sharing their own photographs and even a video.

Book Sale

Our annual book sale fundraiser is coming up in July on the 19th and 20th, 10am to 4pm. Do be sure to donate your books to the SDC office during working hours or the museum on Sundays. Thanks, Everyone, for your support throughout the years.

We're open Wednesdays and Sundays, 2pm-4pm, and by request. Your comments are always welcome!