Mass turnout as Scott100 proves popular
ALL AT SEA: Time to get afloat for the Scott100 celebrations.
Locals and visitors alike turned out in their hundreds yesterday for day one of the Scott100 celebrations.
The late arrival of the HMNZS Otago, which struck rough weather in the journey north, failed to dampen the enthusiasm of people who queued to be transferred to the vessel via the rigid hulled inflatable boat and to take a close look at the Navy in action.
First on board were 20 RSA veterans and the queue grew longer as the morning rolled on.
One of the highlights of day one of the celebrations was the official opening of the Terra Nova mural, which has been painted on the northern wall of the Oamaru Rowing Club by several groups of volunteers.
Lieutenant Commander Ian Marshall, commanding officer of the HMNZS Otago, cut the ribbon and the site was blessed by Kaiwhakaere (chairman) of the Moeraki Runanga, Patrick Tipa.
With the formal part of the day completed, the official party, comprising the Mayor and Mayoress of Waitaki, Alex and Heather Familton, Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean, Otago-Southland Returned Services Association president John Longman, Waitaha kaumatua Anne Te Maiharoa Dodds and Patrick Tipa, representing Ngai Tahu, were hosted to lunch on board the HMNZS Otago by Lieutenant Commander Marshall.
Day two of the celebrations will include exhibitions, floor walks and a recital at the Forrester Gallery, a book talk tonight with Anne Strathie and her biography of Birdie Bowers and Zoe Young, granddaughter of Kathleen Scott, wife of Captain Robert Scott; polar panels with international and New Zealand speakers; a photographic exhibition by David Sutton at the Scottish Hall, the second performance of Paul Baker's play The Night Visitors at the Opera House and the Bond Street Band at the Grain Store Gallery.
Check out page 7 of today's Oamaru Mail for more photos from the event.
