Library celebrates Southland’s stories for Heritage Month

Invercargill City Libraries and Archives will mark Southland Heritage Month this March with a full programme of events exploring local history.

Festivities kick off on Sunday morning at 10am, with a selection of activities at the library to celebrate 20 years of the Southland Oral History Project.

Manager Invercargill Libraries Kathy Aloniu said Heritage Month was the perfect time to acknowledge the major milestone.

“The Southland Oral History Project has played a key role in preserving our region’s heritage over the past two decades, creating an archive for present and future generations that reflects our cultural, social and historical diversity.

“One of the earliest recordings in the collection, captured in the 1970s, recounts a Southlander’s personal experiences of the First World War. It’s incredible to have these memories recorded and preserved for future generations,” Ms Aloniu said.

Sunday’s activities would include an all-ages scavenger hunt and an opportunity for the community to share their memories of historic events in Southland, before a keynote presentation by Dunedin-based historian Helen Frizzell at 2pm.

“We are delighted to welcome Helen back to Invercargill for Heritage Month. Her ongoing advice and support for the Southland Oral History Project has been invaluable since the project was established in 2006,” Ms Aloniu said.

A series of history-focused presentations would follow over the course of the month, beginning with a session on Thursday 5 March about the Southern Steam Trust’s efforts to restore a historic steam locomotive in Invercargill.

Other presentations would cover topics including the history of South Invercargill, Bluff and the Awarua Radio Station, a photographic lecture about Czech adventurer Bohumil Pospíšil, and a workshop for educators on how to effectively utilise library resources for their students.

Ms Aloniu said several interactive activities would be held during the month, including free guided tours of the Archives and an Antarctic virtual reality experience.

A collection of historic school photographs would be on display at the library, with the public invited to provide details about anyone they recognised, she said.

“The names of many of these students have been lost over time. This display is a chance for people to offer their local knowledge and contribute to Southland’s historical record.”

Further details about the Heritage Month schedule are available at ilibrary.co.nz/heritagemonth.

Heritage Month activities at Invercargill City Libraries and Archives:

• 20 years of the Southland Oral History Project – Sunday 1 March, 10am - 4pm
• Oral history with Helen Frizzell – Sunday 1 March, 2pm
• Southern Steam F150 Restoration – Thursday 5 March, 5.30pm
• History of South Invercargill with Wendy McArthur – Friday 6 March, 1pm at South Alive
• History of Bluff with Lloyd Esler – Wednesday 11 March, 12pm
• Educator’s Evening – Wednesday 18 March, 5.30pm
• Hillary’s Hut Virtual Reality Experience – Monday 16 - Friday 20 March, 10am - 4pm
• Czech Globetrotter Bohumil Pospíšil in NZ – Friday 20 March, 5.30pm
• History of the Awarua Radio Station with Veronica Williams – Thursday 26 March, 5.30pm
• Guided tours of the Archive – Tuesdays at 12.30pm and Thursdays at 3.30pm
• Familiar Faces class photos display – starts Monday 2 March.