Third book celebrating early memories of Rotorua launched

Alison Brown (left) speaking at the launch, along with Ynys Fraser. Photo/Shauni James

The sharing of early Rotorua memories has been celebrated at the launch of ROTORUA RETROthree.

The launch was held at the Rotorua Library last Friday, with about 70 people attending.

Participants in the ROTORUA RETRO projects write about their early memories of Rotorua from whatever angle they choose, and these are compiled by Alison Brown and Ynys Fraser into books.

Three books have been put together, with contributions open for the fourth edition.

The launch of ROTORUA RETROthree was an informal occasion and a mix ' n' mingle, where writers and their guests could meet each other.

Organiser Alison Brown says the event reflects the nature of the community project and the contributors' ownership of the project - "they are actually the most important part of it".

She says she was not surprised by the number of people who attended and thinks the buzz of the event speaks for itself.

Alison says there are all sorts of ways people can contribute memories for the project, including poems, sketches and pieces of artwork.

"It's a magical process, I love it."

She says Ynys Fraser is the inspiration, as everything stems from her initiative.

While speaking at the launch, Alison mentioned it was a celebration of the community, and that there were authors who had contributed more than one story and stories to more than one book.

She also thanked others, including the library staff and Friends of the Library for their help.

She mentioned a difference in this book was that people who felt they were not able write their stories had been interviewed so they could still contribute.

The book is truly home-grown, being about and by the community of the Rotorua district.

Rotorua's George Coppard has written contributions for all three books so far.

He says you can share all sorts of things and he has an endless supply.

One of the memories he has shared through the project is the first day he landed in Rotorua at the age of about 8-years-old, he says.