In February next year, a programme of events has been organised in Oamaru to mark the centenary of that ship - Terra Nova - arriving at Oamaru with the first news about the fate of the Scott Antarctic expedition and the deaths of Captain Scott, Dr Wilson and Lieutenant Bowers.
It was a secretive arrival at 2.30am on February 10, 1913. Two of the crew rowed to shore to deal only with the harbourmaster, Captain Ramsay, then early next morning they went to the telegraph office in Oamaru, from where they sent a telegram to London with the news.
Nothing was revealed while they were in Oamaru - even the local Oamaru Mail newspaper had no inkling until the news was telegraphed back when it was released in London.
Now there are plans to celebrate the centenary of that arrival in Oamaru, and former Waitaki mayor Alan McLay and former Waitaki district councillor Bruce Albiston will outline those plans at a breakfast presentation on Wednesday.
The events are planned to run from February 6 to 10 next year, commemorating the arrival of Terra Nova off Oamaru Harbour.
The aim of the presentation is to seek local support and sponsors, with international backing already having been received.
A presentation has already gone to London and potential high-profile overseas participants, and Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean is seeking Prime Minister John Key's endorsement of the Oamaru events as the national commemoration of the expedition.
"This could be the highest-profile event in Oamaru in a century, since this town was on the headlines of newspapers the world over in 1913," Mr McLay and Mr Albiston said.
A tentative programme includes a commemorative play, exhibitions, a reading of Scott's diaries, bringing Spirit of New Zealand into Oamaru Harbour, a commemorative rock at Sumpters wharf and a special dinner.
Special events are planned for February 10, including a sunrise re-enactment of Terra Nova's arrival and breakfast at the harbour.
