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In gathering information for the
Pictorial History section of the State of Environment Report , the Trust
consulted many old photographs and newspaper items relating to
environmental history on Great Barrier. Understanding the past is
fundamental to planning our social, economic and environmental future,
and it is in this context that we welcome the formation of the GBI
History Research Group Inc.
Don Armitage writes:
We are a recently-formed history society for the island. We incorporated
on 31st May, 2010 and at this time have about 65 members. We want to
involve anyone who has had anything to do with the island. We hope you
will become a member. Our society, though just 5 ½ months old, has
already published its first book, ‘Great Barrier Island Shipwrecks’, has
established a format for all future publications to ‘brand’ the
society’s publications, and make it easier for prospective authors who
are members to get into print, has successfully applied for funding to
enable state-of-the-art oral history recording to go ahead (it is
already under way), has a well-run website, and is running a short story
history writing competition. Many of the stories entered will be
published in book form in Sept 2011. All in all, a good start, but only
a start. Now that we are established, we want to widen our presence and
effectiveness. Many places around New Zealand have history societies for
the very good reason that they capture the past and present and allow
citizens to know more about their place. Never before has this island
had the opportunity to establish in such a robust way such a society. We
have already met with members of the new Auckland super city’s heritage
department who have assured us of their full support. Modern technology
gives us further opportunities, which we are taking full advantage of.
Great Barrier Island’s history is a unique and wonderful story, and
there is yet more to uncover. The story writing competition is open to
members and non-members alike. We hope that if you have a true story
about some event and/or person or persons associated with Great Barrier
Island’s past to recent past, you will ‘have a go’ and enter the
competition. Please join our society. For details:- www.greatbarrierislandhistory.org
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