Southland Farming History Exhibition Opens

One hundred and thirty invited guests were on hand on Saturday as the MP for Invercargill, Penny Simmonds assisted by Southland District Mayor Rob Scott, cut the ribbon to open the Thornbury Vintage Tractor & Implement Club’s new exhibition of Southland’s Farming History.

In keeping with the occasion Simmonds arrived in a Rolls Royce while Scott arrived by Land Rover Discovery led by two members of the Waimatuku Pipe Band.

Both Simmonds and Scott spoke before the cutting of the ribbon, Simmonds remarking on the important role the display plays in preserving Southland’s rural history. “It is a wonderful chronicle of our past rural industries and support services.” She congratulated all on their wonderful efforts.

Scott, talked of Southland’s rich history and how it is so important to our sense of identity and that it is like other such displays which become a drawcard for tourists.

Other speeches on a day that was a celebration, not only of the opening of the new display but of the club’s achievements over the last several years, were Club President Colin Hitchcock, one of the project’s main drivers Tony Strang, and Fraser Pearce. A final panel for the exhibit was also unveiled, acknowledging Strang and the team who created the display,

After the exhibition was declared open numerous groups were taken on a tour through the display by members of the club while there was a rolling afternoon tea and the Deep South Rhythm Band played adding to the carnival atmosphere of the event.

Following the celebrations, Sunday was local’s day with a constant stream of visitors with one hundred and eighty people coming through the doors.

Southlanders will have a wonderful opportunity to view the new exhibit and the other facets of the museum during Heritage Month in March when the facility will be open every Saturday and Sunday from 1.30pm to 4.30pm. Admission will be just $10 per adult while under 16’s are free. Thereafter the facility will be open on Sunday’s and Public Holiday’s from 1.30pm to 4.30pm.

The centre is signposted on State Highway 99 prior to the appropriate turn off onto the Thornbury-Waimatuku Road to reach the Thornbury township.