Welcome to the Otunui Valley Centenary Celebrations

Article Courtesy of the Ruapehu Press

Two hundred and fifty people gathered at Otunui on Saturday 30 January 2010 to celebrate the district’s centenary.

Photos, books, articles and memorabilia depicting the last 100 years were displayed in the Otunui hall and outside horse drawn farm implements, household items, and farm equipment were on show. 

Wellsford Carter’s original water wheel, that brought the first power into Otunui, had been restored by Trevor  and Cee-Jay Schroeder was erected in the field  to run for the afternoon and amaze everyone by its size and the small amount of water it took to make it turn.

Everyone enjoyed the displays and many came back on Sunday to have another leisurely look around.

Terry Gawith welcomed the large crowd to Otunui and outlined the preparation for the reunion and how the Otunui spirit had once again been evident with everyone in district and contributing to the organisation of the day.

The highlight of the afternoon was a large parade which included farm bulldozers, tractors with implements, motorbikes, push bikes,  land rovers  and trucks that had been resurrected and polished up for the occasion. The sound of the old motors putting and purring along was a trip down memory lane.   Also in the parade were vintage cars, miniature horses, a sledge, a shearing scene which included Otunui’s own Shrek being shorn by a hand turned shearing machine  (Shrek produced 18kg of wool),  wild pigs, two bushmen  in long johns cross cut sawing a massive log, and  a portrayal of Jack Allen  a well known character of the 1920’s.

Horses with riders dressed as early settlers were a delight.  One of the riders rode a side saddle which her great grandmother had ridden in to Otunui on 100 years ago.  The pack horse was also of special interest.  In keeping with tradition the Camerons concluded the parade with a not quite so lusty song.

The evening event was held at Laurens Lavender farm which was looking splendid with the Lavender in full bloom.   Mr Noel Street proposed the toast to past and present residents and outlined the history of the district. 

The Centenary cake was cut by Noel Street, Bertha Carter, Beth Heale and Luther Brown.

During the evening a presentation, of a book beautifully carved by Michael Sheely, was made to Cliff and Patricia Harris to thank them for the wonderful Otunui book that they had published following the 75th reunion.  Cliff and Patricia are planning to re publish their book with the last 25 years and photos from the Centenary added.

Following a delicious dinner, David Partis (Desighand Limited) was thanked for his generous contribution to the celebrations and then guests were treated to reminiscences from Don Buchanan, Jim Robson and Bill Smidt.  Don and Bill had stories from earlier days in Otunui that had long been forgotten but were very much enjoyed by all present.

Helicopter rides around Otunui were enjoyed by many on Saturday and on Sunday visitors were welcomed back to their old homes while others rode the jet boat on the Wanganui River.