Sir Peter's son in town
The son of the late Sir Peter Blake will visit Oamaru in February for the Scott100 celebrations.
James Blake, a freelance cameraman filming for a national history production company which produces films for the BBC and Discovery Channel, will be a guest speaker at the Scott Commemoration Dinner to be held on February 9 at the Loan and Merc Restaurant.
In 2007, he spent two months in the Antarctic as part of a six-man restoration team working on Shackleton's hut and in 2012, he completed an unassisted row from Sydney to Auckland as part of a four man team.
Scott100 co-convenor Bruce Albiston said the organisers were especially delighted to have Mr Blake attend the event given his special associations and personal experiences of Antarctica.
"We believe locals and visitors alike will want to hear James speak," he said.
"He has a contemporary perspective that will add real value to the Oamaru commemoration."
During his time in Oamaru, Mr Blake will visit local schools and share in other Scott100 activities.
Mr Albiston said other guests will include Professor Sir James Skegg, President of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Mrs Philippa Foster Black, chairwoman of the United Kingdom Antarctic Heritage Trust, and Zoe Young, granddaughter of Kathleen Scott and Lord Kennet.
"There has been a remarkable level of interest generated by the Oamaru programme," Mr Albiston said.
"We are confident those who join us will experience the historic significance of the Scott Polar epic which gripped the world a century ago."
