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giving 1929 McCormick deering bay city shovel a new home!!!

$1,085 donated
Given by 15 generous donors in 6 weeks

we need to bring this old local home and give her a place to rest her engine. She's just as much of a local as Mrs Thirkettle!!

Auckland

i hear you already... why should i care about some large weird looking ancient piece of machinery?

The history behind this big gal is mind boggling!

It was brought over from the states way back in the day (1930s) to help dig and shape most of the roads in and around the Rodney area, highlights include:

1. getting shipped down to Napier to help after the earthquakes

2. spending most the great depression hidden behind a hay shed to save it from being destroyed by men up in arms feeling like it was taking work away from them.

3. going accidentally head to head with a steam train and surviving!!

and tons of other stuff we have barely even started researching!

SO this shovel came up for auction with the rest of Peter Mackenzies estate (who some of you may remember as the owner/curator of the amazing Iron Park) And one of our locals (Tommy Grace) knowing about the old girls history (and having memories of it in the area very early on in his life) gave us a heads up that it was coming up for auction and offered to help us try and get her back where she belongs!

Long story short we don't get a hell of a lot of funding, we have very lucky to have some very generous sponsors who help us keep the doors open day to day. Any big projects like this we need to fundraise for. So we are fundraising to not only buy the machine but to build her a little place of her own on our grounds to keep her in the best shape we can!

About us

We are the go to place for all your helensville (and surrounding areas) history. Run by volunteers with be hearts

Use of funds

To pay for the acquisition of the shovel (machine not spade) and to house it

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Latest donations

WELLA
WELLA on 23 Mar 2018
$100
R.Davidson
R.Davidson on 21 Mar 2018
$250
Hylands
Hylands on 14 Mar 2018
$20
Helensville Paper Plus Select
Helensville Paper Plus Select on 08 Mar 2018
$250
McCann
McCann on 04 Mar 2018
$20

Who's involved?

Helensville and district historical society incorporated's avatar
Created by Helensville and District Historical Society Incorporated, paying to a verified bank account of Helensville and district historical society incorporated (Charity) on behalf of Helensville Museum
Registered Charity
A Registered Charity has legal recognition under the Charities Act 2005.
Tax credit
Donations of over $5 are eligible for a New Zealand charitable giving tax credit.
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This campaign started on 11 Feb 2018 and ended on 31 Mar 2018.