Heritage projects receive funding support
Three projects aiming to preserve the district’s heritage have received support from the Waipā Heritage Fund.
The fund carries an annual value of $70,000, with two funding rounds per year.
The Cambridge Historical Society received $3,500 in the latest funding round to assist the storage of a unique collection of photograph negatives.
The black and white photographs, taken by photographer Reg Buckingham, depict Cambridge people and organisations from 1960 to 1986.
Cambridge Museum manager Kathryn Parsons says around 75,000 negatives can now be stored safely in polyester archival sleeves, thanks to the funding boost from Council.
“Reg Buckingham’s photographs provide a unique record of Cambridge people and subjects,” she says.
“We are delighted to receive this funding as it will enable considerable progress to be made to store this precious collection.
“Alongside this vital preservation work, the cataloguing process will enable much improved access so that people who are researching their family history or life in the Cambridge district at this time will be able to see the moments captured by his photographs.”
Two other groups to receive funding from the Waipā Heritage Fund are Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust and Waikato RiverCare.
Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust has been allocated $20,000 for a new biosecurity plan to protect native species living on the mountain from invasive pests.
Waikato RiverCare will receive $13,500 for weed control and native planting efforts to help restore the Tuhikaramea Stream.
Council’s community services manager Sally Sheedy said it was important to preserve the district’s heritage.
“Whether it’s protecting special photographs that depict our history or planting native trees, it’s crucial to preserve our heritage in Waipā,” she said.
“We look forward to watching these projects as they progress and conserve the district’s unique and diverse heritage for generations to come.”
The Waipā Heritage Fund was established in 2013 to assist with the preservation, enhancement and showcasing of the unique environmental and cultural heritage, diversity and history of the district.
Funding can be used to assist with physical works for heritage buildings, objects, natural vegetation, habitats, specialist advice and cultural or archaeological sites.
The next round of funding closes on 30 December 2020. To learn more about the fund visit www.waipadc.govt.nz/our-services/grants-and-fundin... or phone 0800 WAIPADC (924 723).