Westland Industrial Heritage Park celebrates their 25th anniversary
Although winter is usually a quiet time for the Westland Industrial Heritage Park (the Park) we’ve had a busy time over the last month.
On King’s birthday weekend, we were visited by about 50 hot rods from the Motueka Rodders Club as well as a few regular miniature railway enthusiasts and their locos from Halswell.
The following weekend we celebrated the Park’s 25th anniversary. There was a good attendance of members. Mayor Helen Lash, President Bruce Hackett and founder member Mike Rooney welcomed everyone and gave a brief account of the Park’s history. The beautiful anniversary cake, made and iced by Diane Houston, was duly cut by Glenys Muir assisted by Jim Staton and Mike Rooney. Glenys’s husband, Doug, Jim and Mike were founder members.
In the afternoon of the same day, the Park was re-opened to the public and the Fire Museum was officially opened by former Fire Chief, Harry Collett. This was followed by a demonstration from the Fire Brigade of the rescue of a victim from a car crash. It was a great display not only of the equipment the Fire Service has but also the well-organised and rehearsed way the rescue was carried out and the patient cared for. The only victim that didn’t survive was the car!
Friday 28 June was Matariki. We had several visiting railway enthusiasts from Halswell, McLeans Island and Greymouth with several steam locomotives that are always crowd pleasers. A particular favourite is Reece Cobb from Nelson with his little Steam Truck. We had planned night runs on Friday and Saturday but the weather cancelled the Friday night run. However, the Friday and Saturday day runs and Saturday night run were a great success. The rest of the Park was open and the diesels in the Big Engine shed were started up a few times. The sausage sizzles were also popular as usual. We were rewarded by lots of people coming to visit and enjoy what the Park has to offer.
In the meantime, work still goes on at the Park. Building consent for the new Maritime Centre has been granted and Park members had to remove several containers from the site, which is now clear for the contractors to erect the building. The materials are on site ready for construction to start.
Further work has been done on the yard drainage and the old shelter near the railway station is having a makeover. Many other projects continue quietly as funds and resources allow.
Treasurer Rob has completed the annual accounts that have been sent for review in readiness for the AGM which is set down for Wednesday 17 July at 7.00 pm.
We are open to the public on Wednesdays and Saturdays but look out for additional events. Come and see our displays and talk to our members and join us if you like what you see. The Miniature Railway runs from 10 am to 3 pm on Saturdays.
Contact Information
Email: wihpark@gmail.com
Web site: www.westlandheritage.co.nz
Address: 9 Brian Waugh Lane, Hokitika 7810
Text and photos: Westland Industrial Heritage Park
