Mihi, Welcome - Sir Tamati Reedy
Design - Charles Gordon (represented by Stephen Harte)
Charles Gordon designed the memorial. He was unable to be present and provided the following words to be read on his behalf.
Glenside Memorial Design Points
This Memorial is a marker for an early pioneer settler that died and was buried in this area in 1841.
The construction of the Memorial was part of the agreement between the WCC and the local resident group as part of the new Glenside roading into Churton Park.
The Memorial sits here along this section of new road. It is semi-circular and acts as a place to stop for those passing by. The strong stone walls that form the outer edge curve around towards the foot path. This creates two arms that enclose those within the gathering space in the middle. The walls also act as seats for those who stop.
A Cairn sits at the centre of the memorial. A 'cairn' is a well know type of marker for important places often found on the tops of mountains as markers or memorials. This Cairn acts as a centre focus for the Memorial. It is a marker for the early settler. There is a plaque on it and one on the ground in front relating the history of what took place. As well there is a cross in the centre of the Memorial. The cross is a reference to god and the greater entity once we pass from this earthly place.
As you stand in front of the Cairn, you also look out towards the stream and the hills. The stream and the new plantings provide a relationship to the early naturalness of the setting as it may have been in the early 1840's. The Pohutakawa to the side of the Memorial makes a specific reference to this sense of 'nature as it was. It will provide a sense of scale to the Memorial as well as shade once it grows taller.
Charles Gordon
Snr Landscape Architect
Wellington City Council
History - Claire Bibby, Past President Glenside Progressive Assn. Inc.
Claire Bibby led the project to protect the burial site and have the unknown woman honoured in a memorial.
You can go to the menu Memorial History (link here) to read a document of her talk (which explains the history of the site and the project) or to download a .pdf document of her talk.
Blessing - Reverend Ben Frow-Johnson, St John Anglican Church
E te Whanau
As we gather here we remember those who have gone before us
We remember particularly the life of the pioneer woman whose final resting place is in this area
May this memorial bear witness to her faith and courage
May it become a place of rest and remembrance for this community
May it bear testament to future generations of the life of this community in the past, in the present, and in the years to come
Unveiling
In the name of Jesus we dedicate this memorial to the memory of a pioneer woman who rests in peace in this area
May this place remain sacred always to her memory and to your glory
Amen
(Silence and a time for people to pray, reflect, and/or lay down any tributes)
Blessing
Loving God grant to this place your peace that passes all understanding
May the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be upon this place, upon our lives and the lives of all who live in this community.Amen
Open commentary - from the people
Mayor Celia Wade-Brown
The Mayor spoke of the importance of recognising migrants and thanked the Wellington City Council and Community commitment to work together to get to this point in time.
Hon Peter Dunne, MP
The Hon Peter Dunne spoke of the astonishment the pioneer woman would have felt if she knew that 171 years later, we would be gathered here to honour her. He also spoke of the dedication of a small community over 171 years to keep the burial site of an unamed unknown woman recognised and protected from harm.
Closing karakia - Sir Tamati Reedy & Reverend Ben Frow-Johnson
Afternoon tea, Thyme Cafe, Twigland Gardeners World