Opening of the Bill O'Donnell Sawmill at The Bushtown Heritage Site in Waimate

Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, GNZM, QSO

For more photographs, click here.

E kui mā, e koro mā, e huihui nei, tēnei aku mihi māhana ki a koutou.  Kia ora tātou katoa. Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, warm greetings to you all.

I specifically acknowledge:  Allan Laurie, Chairman of Bushtown Waimate Incorporated; Your Worship John Coles, Mayor of Waimate; and Bill O’Donnell. 

It is a great pleasure for Janine and me to be here today to be part of an important occasion for both the Bushtown Heritage Site, and the wider Waimate region. 

Thank for the warm welcome given by representatives of Te Runanga o Waihao.  I understand that the last time a Governor-General visited this town was eight years ago, and I’ve also heard about the garden party at Studholme the late Sir Paul Reeves attended in 1988 and that it was a very memorable event for all.  We wonder if our visit will be remembered in so fond terms!

In a short time I will officially open the Sawmill named after Bill O’Donnell, the gentleman who donated it.  Before I do I will speak briefly on the significance of the sawmill, and the Bushtown Heritage Site more generally. 

There are three elements to my visit here.  First, we will unveil the plaque that will formally open this sawmill.  Second there is the planting of a Totara Tree.  Finally, we will unveil the walkway bridge sign that dedicates that structure to Doug Bailey, the long serving member of the Bushtown Waimate Incorporated Committee, and the driving force behind the Bushtown initiative. 

Speaking more generally on the Bushtown Heritage Site, it seems to me that this place is a special treasure for both the people of Waimate, and those who visit.  It highlights the importance of the bush, which is the primary resource of this area, and it emphasises the contribution forestry-related activity has made to the development of the Waimate District and the wider Canterbury Region.

I think it superb that the Bushtown project is part of an integrated range of developments within Waimate township, including the Museum, the Arcadia Building, Victoria and Knottingly Parks, and the White Horse monument.  These developments speak of a region proud of its heritage, and committed to developing a sustainable future.  

Moving on to the opening of the Bill O’Donnell Sawmill.  I am told that this sawmill is powered by diesel and traction engines, and was constructed more than a century ago to mill native timber in Southland.  The sawmill building, built by Waimate volunteers and tradesmen, funded through the selling of Totara trees for planting here at Bushtown and with additional support from a variety of contributors including service groups and the Mid and South Canterbury Trust, represents a real community effort. 

I congratulate all of those who have invested and worked on this significant project.  It will be an asset to both this Heritage Site and to the Waimate district more generally.  It is a grand tribute to Bill O’Donnell.

With that said, and in anticipation of shortly planting a special Totara tree in ‘Government Corner’, I should get to the official part of today’s ceremony.

As the Vice-Regal couple, it gives me and Janine great pleasure to unveil this plaque, and to officially open the Bill O’Donnell Sawmill at Bushtown Heritage Site.

Kia ora huihui tātou katoa.