Gold, in the
payable form, was first struck by Gabriel Read near Lawrence on 25th
May 1861. Read, an Australian-born prospector was initially told he was on a
‘wild goose chase’ but his discovery, in the gully that now bears his name,
changed the course of history and laid a foundation for both Otago and New
Zealand. By July 1861, the Tuapeka area was very much immersed in the gold rush,
with the district’s population swelling to over 11,000 compared to the less than
6,000 in Dunedin at the time.
In 2011, attention
will again turn to Lawrence as it celebrates 150 years since what was
essentially the birth of our nation. Realising the significance of such an
occasion, the Lawrence Community will be hosting a four day celebration,
Gabriel’s Gully Goldrush 150th from Friday 18th to Monday
21st March 2011.
The four day
celebration will feature a drama which re-enacts the Goldrush with treks and
walks to take us back in time to the 1860’s. With music, historical tours and
displays, visual art, drama and family games and fun, there’s something for
everyone, young or old.
Come and celebrate
the past connecting with the present and be part of this national celebration.
Diary the dates now
– 18th to 21st March 2011
Click here to receive newsletters into your inbox which keeps you up to date
with the progress and plans for the celebration weekend.
Check out
www.lawrence.co.nz for further information.
Contact us:
150 Year
Celebration Committee
P: 5 Peel Street,
Lawrence 9532
T: 03 485 9909
E:
jeanette.paterson@cluthadc.govt.nz
W:
www.lawrence.co.nz
Katy Macpherson
Project Manager
M: 021 154 5511
E:
katy@kinetica.co.nz
Gold is central to
the plans for Lawrence 150 celebrations
LAWRENCE, New
Zealand (1st October 2009): Three days of theatre, music, exhibitions
and tours are set to entertain the golden crowds in Gabriel’s Gully 2011 to
celebrate 150 years since the discovery of payable gold in New Zealand.
“This is a
celebration of a national historic moment” said Wayman Roughan, Chairman of the
150 committee. “Gabriel’s Gully was the birthplace of New Zealand’s payable gold
back in 1861. Lawrence, Dunedin and surrounding towns were built on the
following gold rush and this three-day event is to celebrate just that, gold.
We’ve been discussing the event for over a year and now it’s time to put plans
in place.”
“Running an event
in remote area such as Gabriel’s Gully, has its challenges,” commented Katy
Macpherson, the project manager appointed in July to put the plans together for
the event, “but it’s a wonderful setting for a weekend of activities and
entertainment. This event will celebrate a huge piece of history for New Zealand
and it’s important to have Gabriel’s Gully at the centre of those activities.
The whole town is behind the celebrations and the majority are involved in
hosting the event in some way or another. This event is a real community
effort.”
A draft programme
has now been collated with the gold theme running right through the three days
and nights. Events include theatre work, music and entertainment along with
historical tours and exhibitions which give the visitor an insight into life in
Lawrence in the 1860’s. The entertainment is aimed at all ages with a special
family focus, as its Otago Anniversary weekend.
The weekend
celebrations kick-start a whole year of various events which celebrate the gold
discovery, all centred in Lawrence and the district.
Lawrence 150, the
three-day golden event runs from 18th to 21st March 2011
and features theatre, music, exhibitions, tours and family entertainment. For
more information visit the website
www.lawrence.co.nz
For media enquiries
contact:-
Katy Macpherson
Project Manager –
Lawrence 150 Celebrations
katy@kinetica.co.nz
021 154 5511
|
ARCHIVED LAWRENCE 2011 NEWSLETTERS/MEDIA RELEASES |
Click here to register your interest in attending the celebrations in 2011.
You will receive media releases relating to preparations for the celebrations,
and more detailed information from 2009.
Click here to register your interest in sponsoring the 2011 celebrations.
