Old-fashioned day of fun

Bad weather did little to dampen the spirits of those who attended the Matakohe Museum's 50th anniversary celebrations at the weekend.

Darcy Sterling, the son of founder Merv Sterling, said the museum started 55 years ago when his father and six other descendants of the Albertland settlers, who arrived in the district 150 years ago, gathered around Mavis Smith's kitchen table to discuss how they could preserve the district's heritage.

From those initial "cup of tea" discussions at Totara House, the concept was dreamed up and fulfilled.

"We've been through a few rough patches but the future is positive," said Mr Sterling, who opened the gala Settlers Day celebrations on Saturday.

He and his two sisters, Kae Bond and Jo Healey, helped the district's matriarch, 102-year old Mavis Smith cut the cake.

The wind and rain may have put out the billy tea fire, and delayed the chopping and sawing demonstrations for the festivities, but crowds - young and old alike - poured inside to enjoy the buzz of activities, good- old-fashioned fun and plenty of sing-alongs.

A book - Pioneering Life and the Kauri Tree - was launched to mark the occasion.