A ship half the length of a rugby pitch, 247 people and 117 days at sea. Let's remember our pioneers

Our duties as pioneers may be somewhat arduous, but as compared with all that have gone before us they are light and transitory. Captain Cargill included this in his speech to the immigrants when they arrived in Pt Chalmers on the Philip Laing on 30th April 1848.

That may have been true then but without these brave pioneers our families would not have had the opportunities that we have been fortunate to have. Our migrant family was never well off. They were hard working honest people who struggled to build a community and give their family a better start in life. 175 years have passed and their contribution to NZ is not engraved on wall plaques or written into books. Their gravesites are unmarked and look unloved and forlorn. My wish is that we can erect a memorial stone so that our brave forebear's contribution to NZ and to our family, will not be forgotten.

John and Letitia Wallace and James and Lucy Riley, we appreciate your pilgrimage and endeavours.