Waikato Business News July/August 2017

36 WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS July/August 2017
Dame Hilda Ross sculpture
project takes shape
Fundraising is underway for the creation
of a commemorative statue of Dame Hilda
Ross to be sited on the corner of Ward St
and Worley Place in Hamilton.
With the loss of
Waikato Hospital’s
Dame Hilda Ross
Centre, the Dame Hilda Ross
arts collection at the public library
and the uncertainty over
the future of Founders Theatre’s
Dame Hilda Ross memorial
fountain, Theatre of the
Impossible Trust (TOTI) say
they are determined to restore
Dame Hilda Ross’ exceptional
legacy to the public mind.
The public art trust has
Hamilton City Council permission
for a commemorative
statue to be sited on the corner
of Ward Street and Worley
Place. Council is also in
favour of naming this small
meeting area Dame Hilda
Ross Plaza.
TOTI called nationally for
artist concepts for the sculpture
and the winning concept
from Tim Elliot ‘Where health
joins hands with happiness’
portrays Dame Hilda playing
the piano for children at
the Port Waikato Children’s
Health Camp.
She was a co-founder of
these camps for children from
impoverished backgrounds
and every summer for 25 years
was ‘Camp Mother’ at Port
Waikato, organising night-
ly concerts. The camp motto
‘Where health joins hands
with happiness’ is emblazoned
on the front panel of the piano.
TOTI trustee and former
Hamilton Mayor Margaret Evans
says Tim’s concept came
up tops because of its contemporary
feel which bridges the
past to the present, and because
it is interactive, and has
particular appeal to children.
Dame Hilda was a notable
high-ranking politician but
was always considered approachable.
Cleverly portraying
this important personable
characteristic and other distinctive
qualities, Dame Hilda
is shown to be enthusiastic,
cheerful and bright or to sum
up in one word – “ebullient”.
Dame Hilda dedicated her life
to improving the lives of others
and this statue will continue
to give back to the community
just as she did, for many
generations to come. Tim says
his art aims “to provide content
that appeals to everybody.
It is my belief that art ought to
be read as no more than something
inherently beautiful,
accessible to all, understood
and appreciated by everyday
people”.
“We are presently fundraising
for the commemorative
statue and are grateful to have
recently received a grant from
Trust Waikato,” says Margaret.
TOTI has also asked the
council to acknowledge Dame
Hilda Ross by re-naming a
central city street “where she
can best be remembered”.
“We consulted widely and
the project attracted support
from Parliamentarians, Mana
Whenua, business people,
community groups, and historians,
along with Ross family
descendants,” says Margaret.
“In our proposal we suggested
four options for consideration.
Hamilton City Councillors
voted unanimously
to rename the east section of
Ward Street (between Victoria
Street and Worley Place)
as Dame Hilda Ross Way.
The section of Ward Street
between Anglesea Street and
Seddon Road is to retain its
current name.
“We have now submitted
a Road and Open Space
name/renaming application to
Planning and Guidance. This
application will start the notification
process with affected
property and business owners
before a final decision is
made.”
Dame Hilda’s significant
political accomplishments
and ‘hands-on’ attitude
stemmed from her early days
of social activism, particularly
concerning the welfare of
An image showing how the Dame Hilda
Ross sculpture is expected to look.
women and children. In 1941,
her first political appointment
was to the Waikato Hospital
Board. By 1949 she had become
Minister for the Welfare
of Women and Children in the
first National government. In
1957 she became Minister of
Social Security.
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