Momentum builds towards Otira Tunnel Centenary celebration
When the Otira Tunnel was opened on 4 August 1923, a specially minted gold medallion was presented to Prime Minister William Massey. It was created by the well-known Hoglund family from Springfield. Following this tradition, a special coin or medallion, is being created and will be sold to commemorate the occasion Centenary celebration in August this year. The new medallion is being made by Zenith Coins’ Adam Gilshnan from Greymouth.
A book written on the tunnel, “Through the Alps”, written specially for the Centenary, is currently being edited, and will be produced by James Print in Greymouth. Co-writers Bruce Shalders, Diane Gordon Burns and Chris Stewart, are proud of what they have researched and written, and of the large number of photographs. It contains stories about the men who battled the conditions to construct the tunnel, and a chapter on the lives of the women and children, the families of the tunnellers, who lived in both Otira and Arthur’s Pass.
Speaking of the tunnellers, a replica tunneller’s single man’s hut is being constructed to be situated near the Otira portal for the Centenary celebrations. Afterwards it will be transferred to the Westland Industrial Heritage Park in Hokitika.
Before the next meeting of the Centenary Committee, there will be a working bee at the Otira portal to clear vegetation ready for the crowds expected on August 4th 2023.
Text: Simon Williams, Otira
Photo: Otira tunnellers huts, supplied by Simon Williams
