Greetings. We are delighted to advise preliminary celebration plans for Sunday 24th April 2022. Dame Jenny Shipley has accepted our invitation to unveil the kiosk and to speak. Dame Jenny was born in Gore when her father - the late Rev. Len Robson, Presbyterian Minister, and his wife Adele were much respected by all denominations during their ministry in the Pukerau/Waipahi/Kaiwera district. Dame Jenny has stayed connected with our district throughout her life.
If present COVID regulations still stand, the Cemetery being outside and public, is open to everybody. Masks recommended.
Speeches will be held in Pukerau Hall, so that people will not have to stand outside too long at the cemetery. Unfortunately, only people with a Vaccine Passes will be able to enter the hall. To enable any unable to enter the hall to hear proceedings, a loudspeaker will be placed outside.
Afternoon Tea will be provided. For catering purposes, please let us know if you plan to be present in the Hall. No charge for attendees. Donations to cover expenses and to aid ongoing developments are most welcome.
Buffet dinner for those interested, at the Gore RSA Conference room at 6 pm. $35 per head. Minimum 40 firm reservations are required for this to go ahead. Please indicate if you wish to attend the dinner.
PRELIMINARY PROGRAMME:
12.30 Registration at Pukerau Hall, COVID Sign In. Name Tags provided.
13.00 Registration at Main Entrance of Cemetery
13.30 Blessings at the entrance to Catholic Block.
Unveiling of signs at the entrance of Catholic block and at the cemetery’s first burial 1880.
Māori Karakia at the Entrance Gate of the main block. Grace Rogerson.
Unveiling of Kiosk - Dame Jenny Shipley.
Blessing of Kiosk and memorials on unmarked graves - The Rev Ross Scott.
Possible Muslim Blessing. A Muslim berm for the Eastern Southland district was in recent years installed in Pukerau Cemetery by the Gore District Council.
SPEECHES - in Pukerau Hall - MC John Falconer
o John Falconer- Brief Outline of Trust’s work
o Mayor Tracy Hicks - Introduce Dame Jenny Shipley
o Dame Jenny Shipley
o The Rev Mike Welsh - Catholic pioneer burials.
o Keith McRobie - Manager Gore District Council Parks and Reserves
o Bruce Cavanagh – Research of early history, settlers and servicemen and woman
o Joseph Mooney - Local MP
o Terry Nicholas – Runanga. Closing Karakia Whakamutunga
3.30 pm Afternoon Tea
6.00 pm Dinner RSA
OTHER ARRANGEMENTS
• Flags from early settlers’ countries of birth will be flown.
• Painted Anzac stones by Pukerau School children laid on Service Graves earlier in the day.
• Remembrances placed on Service Graves by Trust members earlier in the day.
• Attendees invited to put flowers on family graves before registration and celebrations begin.
A photographer will be present to record the day.
RSVP - It would be helpful for catering purposes please to know if you plan to be present for this very special occasion. Please email the secretary, Margaret Pullar mgpullar@xtra.co.nz
