Selwyn_Times: August 09, 2023

Wednesday August 9 2023 Selwyn Times
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
NEWS 15
Otira Tunnel and Springfield Railway
Station centenary celebrated in style
ON BOTH sides of the divide,
people came to mark the
centenary of the Otira Tunnel.
About 1000 people turned out
in Otira on Friday for a special
train trip to the tunnel, guided
walks and speeches.
Many were descendants
of the tunnellers who toiled
underground for 15 years in often
wet or freezing conditions to
create the first real link between
Canterbury and the West Coast.
The 8.5km tunnel opened on
August 4, 1923, and was at the
time the longest in the British
Empire and New Zealand’s largest
engineering project.
In Springfield on Saturday,
the township commemorated
not only the tunnel but also the
Springfield Railway Station.
It is 100 years since the railway
moved from the centre of the
village to its present site so a larger
depot could be built, coinciding
with the opening of the tunnel.
The station is mostly closed now
but with KiwiRail’s blessing, it
was reopened for the day.
HISTORY: Through the Alps – The Otira Railway Tunnel
co-author Chris Stewart explains the tunnel’s construction in
Otira, where people turned out in period costume.
Right – people gathered
for a rare open day at the
Springfield Railway Station.
Selwyn School Students’
Waste Art Exhibition
Lincoln Envirotown is aware
that students around Selwyn
are working on projects for the
Selwyn Schools’ Waste Art
Competition. The competition
is open to all Selwyn school
students from Year 7 and
above. There is still plenty of
time to register entries (by
August 14th) with the date
for completing the Artwork
being Friday 25th August.
We then look forward to
presenting an exhibition
of the completed pieces
followed by awards.
The Community and
Learning Team at Selwyn
District Council ensure
the enjoyment and
quality of this project
by providing the perfect
venue at Te Ara Atea for
this fascinating exhibition.
The Public Exhibition
of Selwyn Schools Waste
Art will take place at
2022 Overall
Winner
Caitlin White
& her entry
Micro Plastics
The organising team from Lincoln Envirotown with
Deputy Mayor, Malcolm Lyall.
2022 Winner of High School
Category Caiah Pitkethley
with Deputy Mayor
Malcolm Lyall.
Te Ara Atea, Rolleston on
Saturday 26th and Sunday
27th August.
Awards will be
presented by the Deputy
Mayor of Selwyn Cllr
Malcolm Lyall on Sunday
27th August at 1.00 pm.
Over thirty pieces were
exhibited last year, and the
judges were hugely impressed
by the standard of the work.
It has proved to be a very
rewarding event for our
artistic students. All entrants
receive accolades, prizes, and
exhibit their work in a relaxed
environment. Their efforts are
always exemplary and much
enjoyed by the public who also
get an insight into different views on
household waste.
We look forward to welcoming
everyone to view some wonderful and
interesting art over that weekend.
For further information go to
Humanitix Waste Art or contact Dave
projectmanagerlet@gmail.com
Phone 03 4230445.