1931 Earthquake Survivors event this weekend

1931 Earthquake Survivors event this weekend

This Sunday, 1 February, survivors of the 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake will meet again over afternoon tea.

This event is an established part of the 1931 Earthquake commemoration calendar after being generously initiated by volunteers about 15 years ago.

Although acceptances are still coming in, 114 survivors and a number of their carers have accepted invitations to attend the event hosted by Napier Boys’ High School at their main Henderson Hall in Chambers St. Anyone who survived the 1931 earthquake and would like to attend can contact the Mayor of Napier’s office to be included in the guest list.

The guest speaker is Tony Paine, the Secretary- General of NZ Red Cross. The organisation was an important part of the earthquake response in 1931 and is commemorating their 100th anniversary worldwide this year.

The earthquake survivors will enjoy live music from the era, a display of earthquake photos, the traditional cutting of the Mayor’s cake by the oldest and youngest survivors and a sumptuous afternoon tea.

The event is jointly organised by Napier City Council, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, HB Civil Defence Emergency Management Group, Art Deco Trust, Hawke’s Bay Red Cross, and Napier Boys’ High School. Many local businesses and organisations assist by sponsoring food and equipment.

ShakeOut 2015
Because of Hawke’s Bay’s earthquake risk, everyone in the region will have an opportunity to practice their own earthquake survival response during ShakeOut 2015. ShakeOut is a national Drop, Cover, Hold exercise being run by the Ministry of Civil Defence Emergency Management on Thursday 15 October at 9.15am, during Get Ready Week. The target is 1.5 million people across NZ to take part and registrations open 28 April, immediately following ANZAC Day commemorations.

ENDS

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