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To build the public’s interest in The Treasury,
recordings of volunteers reading ‘Treasury Tales’
were played on Coromandel FM. The tales are
available in booklet form.
I
n each issue, we are always researching
a locale’s rich history: from Maori and
European explorers, early settlers, their
ships, the mills, the fisheries, bushmen, the
gold mines, the hotels, the schools, the roads
and railways, the mines, the pubs. We couldn’t
get enough!
We read old newspapers and old books
online; we grabbed historical photographs and
paintings. One local organization seemed to
be on top of things, especially around Thames,
and that was The Treasury.
Although it is not always convenient for us to
physically visit their extensive physical archives,
our web searches invariably take us to their
online resource pages.
As we researched Thames for this issue, we
were impressed with the town’s organisations
and its devoted teams of volunteers. Machinery
blokes at the Goldmine Experience, mini
railway and the Tech Museum. History buffs at
the History Museum, the School of Mines and
Heritage Week. Nature lovers at the William Hall
Reserve. Artists at the Thames Society of the
Arts. And those who keep the churches in tip-
top shape. Oh, we’re forgetting some...many.
The Coromandel has volunteers galore, many
retirees who just keep giving and contributing
so much of their time.
The Treasury however, not only serves up
history, it has its own. We offer the story
of its evolution here, with special tribute
to the perseverance of the volunteers who
devoted years to collecting Thames’ historical
documents, saving them from being scattered
to the winds. We asked Trust member
Geraldine Dunwoodie to write a few words
about the volunteers at The Treasury, and she
sent us a 3000 word history! We’ve sadly had
to shorten for space.
established 2004
Thames’ TREASURY honoured with
architectural Heritage Award
Miriam Heberley and Geraldine Dunwoodie learn from Vicki-Ann Heikell, an expert from Wellington,
how to best curate and preserve historic photos. The workshop, presented by Te Papa Tongarewa,
offered techniques for museums to manage their collections and their volunteers.
Last year, we ran a story about The Treasury’s new $1.1 million archive wing. We were not the only
ones to think this archive wing was stunning. The impressive project, designed by Architectus, was
just awarded the Heritage Award for the Waikato/Bay of Plenty district by the New Zealand Institute of
Architects. The project will now be eligible to compete for national recognition in November.
The citation reads:
“A former Carnegie Free Library has been carefully restored to provide public access to formerly
homeless archival records of the social history of the community, while a refined and shamelessly
contemporary building has been built adjacent to store this information for posterity.
This clever and elegant pair of buildings contributes a remarkable urban presence to Thames. Not
only do they offer a wonderful amenity for locals and visitors alike, but they also have the power to
transform the town’s view of the value of good architecture, in terms of both its historic and future
heritage. The success of this project is a tribute to Morrie and Geraldine Dunwoodie, and the team of
dedicated local people behind the Coromandel Heritage Trust.”
Dedication of
Carnegie Library 1905
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COROMANDEL LIFE 2015 WINTER
Photo by Charlotte Giblin