A heritage trust dedicated to preserving the history of the Cardrona Valley has embarked on its most ambitious project yet.
Formed in 2008, the Cardrona Heritage Trust is using a grant from the Central Lakes Trust (CLT) to collate the history of the valley into a series of publicly-accessible narrated presentations.
The trust has contracted Wanaka-based media professional Mark Sinclair to turn the project into a reality.
QR codes will be placed on areas of interest in and around Cardrona Village.
Passersby who scan the codes will be taken to a website containing textual, visual and in some cases audio records relaying the history of the location.
Trust member Mary Lee said the trust had started a repository ‘‘many years ago’’ in conjunction with the University of Otago with the intention of building a website, but this project would be more informal in nature.
‘‘This is a history as the people remember it, and stories told by them, which is probably a lot more fun,’’ she said.
Mrs Lee said the trust was always on the lookout for more historic resources for their records, and the project would always be evolving.
‘‘It’s the most exciting project because no matter who comes along with something in the future, it can always be added into it. It’s not static.’’
Phase one of the project is expected to roll out before the end of February next year, with topics ranging over the valley’s history of gold mining, rabbits, farming and tourism.
The trust has invited anyone wishing to learn more, donate or offer historical records to contact them at [email protected]
