Media Release for immediate use 12 August 2009

Twizel’s History To Be Set In Film

More than forty years of Twizel’s history will be recorded to DVD thanks in part to an $11,250 grant from the Meridian Waitaki Community Fund.

The Twizel Promotion and Development Association (TPDA) is currently raising funds to produce a DVD of Twizel’s fascinating history.

Joy Paterson of the TPDA says the project will help to preserve the knowledge and stories of the town’s development.

“Many visitors and new residents to the town are not aware of the town’s unique history,” she says. “By creating an historical DVD we can tell the history of Twizel’s origins from the early pioneer days to the construction of Meridian’s Waitaki hydro scheme.

“The funding from the Meridian Waitaki Community Fund will enable us to conduct interviews, review existing, and undertake new research and start working on a script so we are very grateful for the support.”

A professional filmmaker will be engaged to help with the project and the DVD will be used as a tourism and educational tool. In all, the project is expected to cost around $80,000.

“Twizel is a place of historical significance. The DVD will reveal how the township began as a base for a large hydro-electricity scheme and has become a centre for tourism and outdoor recreational activities.

“The DVD will use archive film, still photos and interviews with locals, experts and visitors to highlight the history and physical beauty of the town and its surrounds. It will help show how Twizel has become so much more than a construction town,’ says Joy Paterson.

The historical DVD will be the first undertaking of its kind in the area. Once complete funding is secured the project is expected to take around one year to finish so each season can be captured.

The DVD is expected to be available for purchase and will be shown in information centres and museums.

Mark France, Meridian Waitaki Community Fund Chair, says the initiative will be of great value to the local community.

“By creating an historical DVD the unique history of Twizel will be preserved for many years to come,” he says. “Locals and visitors alike will be fascinated by how the town evolved and I know everyone at Meridian, especially those in our Twizel office, will certainly be watching with interest as this project evolves. There is so much interesting information available so we are sure the finished product will be a success.”

The Meridian Waitaki Community Fund is to the value of $1 million over three years and is managed by a panel of community members and Meridian staff, who work together to help decide which local initiatives are supported.

To find out more about the Meridian Waitaki Community Fund visit www.meridian.co.nz /aboutus/

Applications for consideration in the next round must be submitted by 27 October 2009.

Latest Meridian Waitaki Community Fund recipients

Omarama Playgroup

$3,000 granted towards upgrading carpet, breastfeeding chairs, toys and other equipment.

Kurow Sub Branch of Plunket

$3,000 granted to contribute to stage two of the Plunket rooms renovation project.

Otematata Residents’ Association

$9,753.75 granted to assist with the provision of a heating source for the Otematata Community Centre and gym.

Twizel Returned Services Association
$2,000 granted to contribute towards the purchase of a computer, printer and software to enable the Association to communicate more effectively with members.

Kurow Rugby Football Club
$9,000 granted towards the purchase of paint material and scaffolding as part of the Kurow Rugby Football Club’s upgrade project.

Lake Tekapo School
$10,000 granted to contribute towards the purchase of a minivan for the school to help transport children to sporting events, field trips and other inter-school activities.

Twizel Area School
$3,000 granted to assist with the school’s upgrade of reading resources, including reading labs and the purchase of new title books.

Mackenzie High Country Plunket
$9,000 granted to contribute towards the purchase of two shade sails as part of the Mackenzie High Country Plunket’s outdoor environment project.

Waitaki Valley Community Society – Kurow Town Enhancement Group
$5,000 granted to contribute to reviewing and updating the Kurow Island Management Plan.

Aoraki Mount Cook School
$15,000 to contribute towards the purchase of play equipment and safety matting as part of the school’s outdoor area project.

Mackenzie St John
$4,000 granted towards the purchase of a simulator to assist with defibrillator training.

Twizel Promotions and Development Association (TPDA)
$11,250 granted to contribute to phase one (pre production) of the TPDA historical DVD.

Aoraki Mount Cook Playgroup
$3,295 granted to contribute towards the purchase of play equipment as part of the Aoraki Mount Cook Playgroup playground project.

CCS Disability Action Waitaki
$670 granted to contribute towards the costs of running an information day.

Kurow Rugby Club
$7,719.41 granted to enable the Kurow Rugby Club to purchase an electronic scoreboard.

Lake Ohau Conservation Trust
$1,879 granted to the enable the Lake Ohau Conservation Trust to purchase equipment for Lake Ohau Shoreline Weed Control project.

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