150th Anniversary Celebrations of the arrival of the Palmerston and the first group of Polish settlers to Otago
- Friday, 25th November 2022. 1pm – 4pm Visit to Port Chalmers, the arrival place of the Palmerston Invited guests only. A Bus Tour and Harbour Cruise to Port Chalmers, the landing place of the Palmerston and the first Polish Settlers to the Otago Region. The tour will be guided by the Toitu Otago Settlers Museum Curator, Sean Brosnahan. There will be an opportunity to purchase refreshments during the tour. The bus for Port Chalmers will cost $10 per person and will depart from Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, 31 Queens Garden, Dunedin Central at 1pm. Bookings are essential
- Friday, 25th November 2022. 5.45pm – 8pm 5.45pm Official Commemoration of the 150th celebrations at the Public Art Gallery Auditorium, 30 Octagon, Dunedin Central. The exhibition will display panels with information, photographs and historical artefacts brought by settlers on their journeys from their homeland together with other objects showcasing the lives of early Polish pioneers in New Zealand. Please note that the exhibition will be open to the general public from Saturday 26th November to Thursday 8th December from 10am – 6pm.Opening night: Invited guests only. 7pm Official opening of the Historic Exhibition at the Community Art Gallery, 26 Princes Street, Dunedin Central
- Saturday, 26th November 2022. 10am – 1pm A Bus Tour for invited guests to visit highlights of Dunedin. Dunedin sight-seeing tour for official and out of town guests only. The bus departs from Toitu Otago Settles Museum, 31 Queens Garden, Dunedin Central at 10am.
- Saturday, 26th November 2022. 2pm – 4pm Seminar and Historic Display – Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, 31 Queens Gardens, Dunedin Central Open to General Public. 2pm seminar and display: ‘Poles Down South’ presented by Paul Klemick, POHOS historian and Sean Brosnahan.
- Saturday, 26th November 2022. 6pm – 10pm Gala Dinner at Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, 31 Queens Garden, Dunedin Central. Detailed invitation following.
- Sunday, 27th November 2022. 11am – 1pm Commemorative Mass celebrated by the Rev Michael Dooley, Bishop of the Dunedin Diocese at Mary Queen of Peace Church, 721A Portobello Road, Broad Bay. The bus to Broad Bay costs $10 per person and will depart from the Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, 31 Queens Garden, Dunedin Central at 10am, returning to town at 12.30pm. Bookings are essential. Open to all. If you wish to take your own vehicle, please note parking is limited. Built by Polish settlers at the end of the XIX century, the church was formerly located in Waihola and was known as St. Hyacinth. Light refreshments will be served after mass.
- Sunday, 27th November 2022. 1.30pm – 5pm Visit Polish Settlements on the Taieri The bus for Allanton & Waihola costs $10 per person and will depart from the Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, 31 Queens Garden, Dunedin Central at 1.30pm. Bookings for bus are essential. Open to all. Private vehicles are most welcome. Meet at Toitu at 1.30pm. A bus with tour guide, Paul Klemick, will take you following the main southern railway line to the historic Polish settlements of Allanton and Waihola. Visit the cottages and graves of the early Polish pioneers. The day will conclude with a visit to the Waihola Tavern.
- Tuesday, 6th December 2022. 12.30pm – 4pm Visit Back Beach and Port Chalmers on the 150th Anniversary of the arrival of the Palmerston The bus for Port Chalmers costs $10 per person and will depart from the Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, 31 Queens Garden, Dunedin Central at 12.30pm. Bookings are essential for the bus, venue and refreshments. For further enquiries please contact Carol Meikle, 150th Anniversary Day at Port Chalmers Coordinator: Mobile 0211533556 or email: carol.qsm@xtra.co.nz Open to all. For those travelling independently, please meet up with the bus at Back Beach Yacht Club car park, Beach Street, Port Chalmers at 1.15pm. A bus tour to Port Chalmers, the landing place of the first Polish Settlers to the Otago Region. A talk on the voyage of the Palmerston will be presented by Toitu Curator, Sean Brosnahan. The unveiling of a 150th Anniversary Plaque to mark the arrival of the Palmerston will be followed by light refreshments and the cutting of an anniversary cake at the Port Chalmers Town Hall. A walking tour to places of interest around Port Chalmers will be provided.
- Thursday, 8th December 2022. 6pm – 8pm Closing Ceremony for 150th Celebrations At the Community Gallery, 26 Princes Street, Dunedin
- Unveiling at Gore Museum in recognition of the arrival of the Palmerston and the settlement at Germantown. T.B.C.
To participate please complete the following Registration Form and submit by the online link by 31 October 2022.
