Latest news with #DuncanRutherford
Scoop
01-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
Family Legacy Honoured At Hanmer Springs Opening
Article – David Hill – Local Democracy Reporter The Rutherford family's contribution to Hanmer's Soldiers' Block has been remembered. John Rutherford returned to his former home towns of Hanmer Springs and Culverden on Anzac Day as the legacy of one its forebears was honoured. The 103-year-old attended the official celebration to mark the $3.6m restoration of the Soldiers' Block in Hanmer Springs, which his grandfather Duncan Rutherford was instrumental in establishing. Earlier in the day he attended the unveiling of a new war memorial in Culverden, with some of his great-grandchildren helping him to plant a tree to mark the occasion. ''We really appreciate what the council has done to recognise our family,'' Mr Rutherford said. Duncan Rutherford, a local sheep farmer, owned the Hanmer Lodge Hotel, which he offered to the Government in 1915 as a convalescent home for injured soldiers until the Soldiers' Block at Queen Mary Hospital was opened in 1916. He formed a Red Cross committee to fund the makeshift hospital, employing a matron, a cook, domestic staff and provide meals, while the Government provided a doctor, a military officer and medical supplies. Around 218 soldiers were cared for at the lodge, where local women volunteered as nurses. Queen Mary Hospital continued to rely on local generosity, with Duncan Rutherford paying for a verandah attached to the dining room, chairs, tables and lounges so soldiers could recuperate in the fresh air. Christmas dinner and parcels were also provided for the soldiers and hospital staff from the Rutherford family's Leslie Hills farm. The Rutherford family has been farming in the Amuri district since 1860, when Mr Rutherford's great-great-grandfather George Rutherford arrived in the district. Mr Rutherford lived and farmed between Culverden and Hanmer Springs for 65 years, until moving to Hanmer Springs where he lived for 25 years. Hurunui Mayor Marie Black said the $3.6m Soldiers' Block restoration was the culmination of two decades of community advocacy to preserve the site. ''It is tremendous. It demonstrates the value of working in the community.'' The Soldiers Block was built alongside the hot springs, long valued for healing qualities. Queen Mary Hospital later became a mental health hospital, and then a drug and alcohol addiction treatment centre under the Taha Māori recovery programme up until 2003. The Ministry of Health had intentions to sell the site, but the local community rallied round and it was eventually vested in the council in 2010. The restoration was made possible by funding from Government, the Lotteries Commission, the Rata Foundation and the council's earthquake fund. Hanmer Springs firm O'Brien Construction began work restoring the Soldiers' Block in May 2024. ''It has been an enjoyable job,'' Mark O'Brien said. ''The building was very sound. It was in very good condition considering its age.'' To ensure the building survives for another 100 years, O'Brien Construction laid down new foundations, with 64 piles drilled into the ground 900mm deep. The floors were then restored with the same material as the original floors – Jarrah in the wards and rimu in the hallway. Hanmer Springs business owner Jason Fletcher was a driving force behind the project. He said the Soldiers' Block is now open for community use for events and community functions and there is a community fitness centre onsite. A wharenui attached to the Soldiers' Block is also being restored by Ngāti Kūri and will be officially opened later in the year. Long term the community plans to turn the Soldiers' Block into an interactive museum, bringing the stories of the soldiers back to life. The Queen Mary Historic Reserve Trust has been working with Weta Workshop on the design, but will need to raise around $6m. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
01-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
War Memorial Unveiled In Canterbury Town
The Canterbury town of Culverden was able to take its turn at hosting an Anzac Day service for the first time in four years on Friday. Amuri residents past and present travelled from far and wide to observe the unveiling of a new war memorial, a six-metre high Corten steel laser-cut soldier and poppy that will be lit up at night. The $150,000 project was made possible thanks to the legacy of the Rutherford family, which has been farming in the district since 1860. Duncan Rutherford built a drill hall in the town in 1902, donating it to the community for the mounted rifles to use for training. The hall served the community for 80 years until it was sold, with the proceeds put away for ''a special project''. ''This is that special project,'' Amuri Community Committee chairperson David Croft told the gathered crowd during the service. ''Those funds went a long way towards meeting our goal and it was made possible because of the generosity of so many businesses and individuals.'' Funding was also received from the Lotteries Commission, the council and a local community cull cow drive. A $5000 grant from the council's contestable fund allowed for two storyboards to be made, telling the stories of the men who gave their lives in the two world wars. The memorial is now taking pride of place in the Rutherford Railway Reserve. Duncan Rutherford's descendants came out in force, including his grandson, 103-year-old John Rutherford. John Rutherford was joined by some of his great-grandchildren to plant a tree to mark the occasion. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
01-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
Family Legacy Honoured At Hanmer Springs Opening
John Rutherford returned to his former home towns of Hanmer Springs and Culverden on Anzac Day as the legacy of one its forebears was honoured. The 103-year-old attended the official celebration to mark the $3.6m restoration of the Soldiers' Block in Hanmer Springs, which his grandfather Duncan Rutherford was instrumental in establishing. Earlier in the day he attended the unveiling of a new war memorial in Culverden, with some of his great-grandchildren helping him to plant a tree to mark the occasion. ''We really appreciate what the council has done to recognise our family,'' Mr Rutherford said. Duncan Rutherford, a local sheep farmer, owned the Hanmer Lodge Hotel, which he offered to the Government in 1915 as a convalescent home for injured soldiers until the Soldiers' Block at Queen Mary Hospital was opened in 1916. He formed a Red Cross committee to fund the makeshift hospital, employing a matron, a cook, domestic staff and provide meals, while the Government provided a doctor, a military officer and medical supplies. Around 218 soldiers were cared for at the lodge, where local women volunteered as nurses. Queen Mary Hospital continued to rely on local generosity, with Duncan Rutherford paying for a verandah attached to the dining room, chairs, tables and lounges so soldiers could recuperate in the fresh air. Christmas dinner and parcels were also provided for the soldiers and hospital staff from the Rutherford family's Leslie Hills farm. The Rutherford family has been farming in the Amuri district since 1860, when Mr Rutherford's great-great-grandfather George Rutherford arrived in the district. Mr Rutherford lived and farmed between Culverden and Hanmer Springs for 65 years, until moving to Hanmer Springs where he lived for 25 years. Hurunui Mayor Marie Black said the $3.6m Soldiers' Block restoration was the culmination of two decades of community advocacy to preserve the site. ''It is tremendous. It demonstrates the value of working in the community.'' The Soldiers Block was built alongside the hot springs, long valued for healing qualities. Queen Mary Hospital later became a mental health hospital, and then a drug and alcohol addiction treatment centre under the Taha Māori recovery programme up until 2003. The Ministry of Health had intentions to sell the site, but the local community rallied round and it was eventually vested in the council in 2010. The restoration was made possible by funding from Government, the Lotteries Commission, the Rata Foundation and the council's earthquake fund. Hanmer Springs firm O'Brien Construction began work restoring the Soldiers' Block in May 2024. ''It has been an enjoyable job,'' Mark O'Brien said. ''The building was very sound. It was in very good condition considering its age.'' To ensure the building survives for another 100 years, O'Brien Construction laid down new foundations, with 64 piles drilled into the ground 900mm deep. The floors were then restored with the same material as the original floors - Jarrah in the wards and rimu in the hallway. Hanmer Springs business owner Jason Fletcher was a driving force behind the project. He said the Soldiers' Block is now open for community use for events and community functions and there is a community fitness centre onsite. A wharenui attached to the Soldiers' Block is also being restored by Ngāti Kūri and will be officially opened later in the year. Long term the community plans to turn the Soldiers' Block into an interactive museum, bringing the stories of the soldiers back to life. The Queen Mary Historic Reserve Trust has been working with Weta Workshop on the design, but will need to raise around $6m. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
29-04-2025
- General
- Scoop
Nationally Significant Soldiers' Block Officially Reopened In Hanmer Springs
The doors of the historic Soldiers' Block at Queen Mary Hospital (QMH) have officially reopened. More than 600 people attended the celebration on Friday afternoon marking the completion of the restoration and earthquake strengthening works of this Category One Historic building. Attendees saw upgrades to the community hall, restoration of the two octagons, creation of a wharenui space for Ngāti Kuri and a space for the community gym. The heritage site in Hanmer Springs that has been closed for two decades was built in 1916 as a sanctuary for returned soldiers suffering from war-related trauma. It is the last building of its kind which remains on location and intact, making this restoration vital for preserving its architectural and historical significance. Hurunui District Council's Chief Strategy and Community Officer, Judith Batchelor, says the restoration has been a decade in the making. 'This place means something different to everyone—loss, healing, history, home. It's taken many people's persistence and is more than a decade in the making, but today proves that when a community believes in something, the legacy endures.' Amongst the 600 attendees was 103-year-old John Rutherford who served in WWII and is the grandson of Duncan Rutherford, who the Rutherford Block in QMH was named after. Duncan Rutherford also funded the building of the veranda surrounding the Soldiers' Block.
