Thursday 12th May, the Year 12 History class headed away to Central Otago to investigate the historical significance of the Gold Rush period 1861-1900.

We started our research in the Early Settlers Museum in Naseby, which is a treasure trove of primary artefacts, photographs and information panels. It has been some time since WGHS have managed to get into this museum, so it was a real treat to start our time away by visiting this museum first. The first of our cemetery stops was also in Naseby. Then it was on to St Bathans to be wowed by the beauty of the Blue Lake and to experience the wonderful hospitality at the Vulcan Hotel. After that we journeyed on to Cromwell, with our first stop being the Cromwell Museum, which is a small museum but is rich in resources, all vital for the students research. Then it was our last cemetery of the day in the historic section of the town.

Bright and early Friday morning, we made our way to Arrowtown. The students were then in the capable hands of Amanda Viana, Education Officer at the Lakes District Museum who had not only prepared a wealth of material for the students to use, but also took students into the archives so that they could see first hand, important artefacts relevant to their research. The students ended their day panning for gold, with nearly all of the students finding some flakes to take away with them, but also by standing down (some in) the cold water of the Arrow River it gave them all an indication of just how hard the mining would have been.

Saturday morning we left our accommodation in Kelvin Heights and journeyed back to the historic section of Cromwell to gather material which will help the students for the second internal on this topic. Our final historical sites were Gabriel’s Gully and Lawrence. Then it was a quick lunch stop in Dunedin before heading home.

A huge thank you to Ms Herrick who came with us on the trip.