Organised by a group of local residents to mark 2023 as "a year of note" for Broad Bay, the Looking Back, Moving Forward programme of exhibitions, talks and open days runs from Saturday until October 29.
A highlight of the celebrations is the Broad Bay Gala Day, to be held on Sunday, from 11am to 3pm at the Broad Bay Beach Reserve.
Organising group member Tessa Mills said Broad Bay/Whaka Oho Rahi would mark several significant anniversaries this year — 175 years since European settlement in the area, 100 years since the founding of the Broad Bay Boat Club and 75 years since the historic Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church was moved to Broad Bay.
The church was built in Waihola in 1899 by Polish settlers and moved to Broad Bay in 1948.
"With these significant milestones happening this year, it seemed like the ideal time to bring everyone together to celebrate and look back over the history of this area," Mrs Mills said.
Working alongside her to create an exhibition of historic photographs, and gathering stories of families and institutions in the area, are fellow local residents Bernadette Newlands, Brian Nicholls, Herman van Velthoven, Lala Frazer and others.
"We have been collating family history, houses and architecture, and stories of the many changes in the area — it has been fascinating," Mrs Mills said.
"Our youngest storyteller has been 11 years old, through to older people who have lived here their whole lives.’
"It is wonderful that so many people have entrusted us with their stories," she said.
Mr van Velthoven has concentrated on the photo exhibition, which will run from October 21 to 29 at the Broad Bay Community Centre.
He said the concept had already attracted a lot of interest from local residents.
"We have found images of some of the first houses, which show just how sparsely populated the area was in the early days," he said.
The early history and development of Broad Bay/Whaka Oho Rahi will be explored in "A Little Paradise — an evening of talks on Broad Bay", to be held next Wednesday (October 25), from 7pm at the Broad Bay Community Centre.
During the evening, Neville Peat will give an illustrated talk about the glory days of the area as a visitor attraction from the 1890s to early 1900s, while Alan Roddick will speak on the cultural history, in particular Charles Brasch’s art in the origins of the Caselberg Trust.
Other celebration events will include vintage afternoon teas, a Broad Bay School open afternoon, Fletcher House visits and open days at the Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church.
Mrs Mills said the Broad Bay/Whaka Oho Rahi "Looking Back, Moving Forward" celebrations would serve two important purposes — attracting visitors to Broad Bay, and giving the area’s many new residents the chance to learn more about their new home and community.
"In recent years, we have had several large housing developments in the area, which have resulted in lots of new families in the community.
"We are hoping the week of celebrations will give them a chance to learn about the area and its history, and bring the whole community together to have some fun," Mrs Mills said.
Programme of events
Broad Bay/Whaka Oho Rahi’s "Looking Back, Moving Forward" celebrations
October 21-29: Broad Bay historic photo exhibition — images, words, stories and artefacts from the community and archives, Broad Bay Community Centre, 2a Clearwater St. Open Saturdays, Sundays and Labour Day, 10am-4pm; weekdays 4pm-7pm. Entry by gold coin.
October 22: Broad Bay Gala Day — Live bands, entertainment, children’s games, heritage boards, vintage parade, food, prizes for best dressed, 11am-3pm, Broad Bay Beach Reserve.
October 25: A Little Paradise — an evening of talks on Broad Bay, with Neville Peat and Alan Roddick, 7pm-9pm, Broad Bay Community Centre.
October 21, 22, 28 & 29: Vintage afternoon teas, 2.30pm-3.30pm, Broad Bay Community Centre.
October 27: Broad Bay School open afternoon — featuring performances, sausage sizzle and a look around the historic school, 1.30pm-3pm, 4 Roebuck Rise.
October 21, 22, 23, 28 & 29: Fletcher House open days, visit the first double bay villa home, built by Sir James Fletcher, 11am-4pm, 727 Portobello Rd, Broad Bay.
October 22 and 29: Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church open days. Explore the historic church built by Polish settlers in Waihola in 1899 and transported to Broad Bay 75 years ago, 11am-4pm, 721a Portobello Rd, Broad Bay.
- For more information, visit www.broadbay.co.nz
