Coromandel Life Magazine 2015 Winter V3

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12 COROMANDEL LIFE 2015 WINTER
Ahost of activities are being planned for
Buffalo Week. Our cover artist Paul
Deacon comes from Auckland to present a
marine painting workshop on Monday and
Tuesday, 27–28 July. “The topic shall be more
about painting the sea in general”, explains
Paul, “as one needs a bit of study to start
painting vessels.” Paul has painted nearly a
dozen new works of the Buffalo. These, plus
paintings of Captain Cook’s HMS Endeavour,
are being exhibited and available for purchase
at the Mercury Bay Museum.
A large orange commemorative buoy will float
above the wreck on Tuesday 28th July for the
duration of the week. Tuesday & Wednesday ,
meet at the Museum at 10am for a 1.5 hour
walk led by Noel Hewlett seeing the historical
sights in Whitianga.
Tuesday through Thursday at 1pm, enjoy a
curator talk at the Museum.
Tuesday at 3:30pm at the Whitianga Town Hall,
the kids can enjoy a Buffalo Kids Play
Afternoon, featuring games of the 1840s.
Then Tuesday at 5pm at the Museum, join local
expert David Langdon for a talk about scows
and the kauri trade in and around Whitianga.
A Commemorative Function programme will be
on Friday 29th July at 2pm at the Mercury Bay
Town Hall.
Evening of 29 July at 5:30pm is the showing of
the film Song of the Kauri at the Mercury Bay
Twin Cinemas. Director Mathurin Molgat will
speak, and violinist Helen Duder will
demonstrate the resonant sound of a kauri
wood violin. Helen is descended from the
Buffalo’s Thomas Duder. (See ‘Song of the
Kauri’ on page 8 for more info. See the film’s
trailer, download the film or buy the DVD at
/.)
Friday, 31 July at 1pm, join Royal New Zealand
Naval Research historian Michael Wynd to learn
some incredible details about the Royal Navy
and life aboard the HMS Buffalo.
Friday evening, a Captain’s Dinner will be held
at Mercury Bay Club, with local entertainers
providing music. Call 07 866 0284 for info.
THE SCHEDULE...SO FAR...
You may be wondering about the title
‘homecoming week’. Well, one of the sponsors
involved in the planning thought homecoming
was an ideal term as it conveyed a sense of
returning, of welcoming back, of reunion.
In America, traditional school homecomings
welcome back alumni and involve activities
such as sports and culture events and a parade
through the streets.
The events planned for the Buffalocelebration
are very much in this mould, and it is indeed
hoped that Whitianga will be able to welcome
back its very own ‘ Buffaloalumni’, those NZ
descendants of the sailors who plied the
oceans on the HMS Buffalo. –Kate Palmano
Di n i ng DaySpa Geo-Therma l Poo l s
Phone +64 (0)7 866 0456 for more information
The LosT spring
1 2 1 A C o o k D r i v e , W h i t i A n g A
co. nz
Watch for schedule updates and ticket info in local publications or see
ffalo-homecoming-week
August 1st at 10am, a wreath will be laid
following a commemorative service led by
Reverend Mary Petersen at the Buffalo
Memorial on Buffalo Beach Road, followed by a
Monster Buffalo Beach Dig, Polar Bear Swim,
colouring-in competitions and other activities.
That evening’s Shipwreck Ball is already a
sellout, but on Sunday at 10am, enjoy a 2.5
hour guided walk around Shakespeare Cliff
with focus on the ‘shipwrecks of Mercury
Bay.’ Meet at the museum. Bookings
required, call 07-866 0730.Also, look forward to...
Mercury Bay Area School, which boasts a
‘Buffalo House’, is also planning activities
around this event. Word finds and art
activities will be available from the Mercury
Bay Library. The local Quilting Society is even
stitching a patchwork banner of the Buffalo!
As the event celebrates our maritime history,
organisations such as the Sea Scouts, Search
& Rescue and even Lieutenant Commander
Muzz Kennett of the Royal NZ Navy have been
invited along. If weather permits, there may be
a large sailing ship in the harbour, and I have
even heard The Voyage of the Buffaloballad is
being set to music by local composer Stewart
Pedley. Imagine – Mercury Bay’s very own sea
shanty! A fitting tribute, indeed!
So, an exciting week ahead – one which will
enliven our winter and showcase our
colourful history! – KP