Anniversaries and visitors

There was the rare sight of a steam locomotive stopping at Wellsford Station for servicing at the end of May. It was hauling a special passenger excursion to Whangarei and many local enthusiasts were there to admire it. Museum volunteers took the opportunity to put up a display of railway-themed photographs from our collections which were admired by all who saw them.

In the afternoon, the annual 20 May Albertland presentation was held at the Wellsford and Districts Community Centre. For the first time we made this a 2pm matinee followed by afternoon tea, a format which proved a winner with the large audience present. No ‘going out in the cold at night’. The Museum Committee has decided to continue with matinees, to be held on the closest Saturday to 29 May. This year’s programme featured a digitalised presentation of original Harold Marsh lantern slides telling the history of the Okahukura (Tapora) peninsula. Ted Anderson once again did a wonderful job of narrating the story which went with the slides. Copies of this DVD are available from the Museum for $25 plus p&p.

Alec Duthie gave an update on plans for the 150th Albertland celebrations. Already there is interest from many Albertland descendants, both in New Zealand and overseas. Cr Graeme Powell presented Alec with a cheque for $500 from Rodney District Council towards funding this event. Photographs from the Don Worsnop and Harold Marsh collections were on display and some recently scanned Worsnop photographs from the 1950s were shown on the big screen producing exclamations and laughter from members of the audience who recognised themselves.

Albertland on television
In June, Marcus Lush and his crew visited the Kaipara while filming a documentary about Northland. As Marcus is a descendant of Albertlanders, the Masefield family of Batley, he was particularly interested in this area’s history. Prior to filming, he visited the Albertland and Districts Museum and arranged to interview museum volunteer Marjorie Prictor, an authority on Albertland families and their genealogy. A researcher also spent several hours at the Museum selecting photographs from the Harold Marsh collection to be used in the documentary. He was very impressed by the quantity and quality of photographs in the collection.

Marjorie’s interview with Marcus Lush took place in Port Albert cemetery on a very windy Saturday. Although Marjorie said she was nervous, she didn’t show it and did a wonderful job of telling the Albertland story and answering occasional questions from Marcus. Following the interview the team filmed various pioneer graves, including those of the Lush family. They then drove to Port Albert Wharf to board the boat taking them to Batley and Pahi, having already toured much of the Kaipara Harbour from Helensville. We look forward to seeing the documentary which is due to air mid-2011.

Mark your calendar – Easter 2012, the 150th Albertlanders celebrations. Visit www.albertland.co.nz for regular updates.

Image: Marcus Lush and Marjorie Prictor at the Port Albert Cemetery.