Grave Tales: Stories of Bravery from Waitaki’s Cemeteries

Published on 26 October 2022

Taking place 31 October - 6 November 2022 Cemeteries & Crematoria Week is about highlighting the special places in which those have gone before us rest and this year marks the first time Waitaki District Council is participating with Grave Tales: Stories of Bravery from Waitaki’s Cemeteries.

To mark the weeklong event, local historian, ex-Serviceman, and volunteer for the New Zealand Remembrance Army (NZRA), Barry Gamble will host a talk at Ōamaru Library at 6pm on Wednesday 2 November.

The Waitaki District was the home to many who served bravely in times of conflict and Barry’s talk will discuss Waitaki’s connections to historical conflicts including the Crimean War, the Iranian Embassy siege, Vietnam war, Boer war and WW1 and WW2.

Barry Gamble said, “The NZRA’s aim is to research and refurbish headstones before publishing information about them. It’s about respecting those who have passed, and I look forward to sharing some of the stories have gathered to educate others on local history.”

Additionally, the Waitaki District Council Recreation Team alongside the Waitaki Museum & Archive have dug up local Cemetery Stories that will be posted to our Facebook page during the week of 31 October – 5 November.

Event organizer and Recreation Officer, David McFarlane said, “I have learned a lot about Waitaki’s history and those who went before us, thanks to some great research by Waitaki Museum and Archives. Jimmy the Needle from Moeraki was a whaler, Sir John McKenzie rests at Palmerston Cemetery and the monument at Puketapu was built in his honour. We look forward to sharing these stories and hearing more from local expert Barry Gamble.”

In November 2012 the New Zealand Cemeteries and Crematoria Collective (NZCCC) was set up with support from Recreation Aotearoa. NZCCC is the national organisation representing the interests of the cemeteries and crematoria industry in New Zealand.

ENDS