Back to the future for the OSM?

It could be back to the future for the Otago Settlers Museum after a public poll strongly backed retaining that name, following a contest to generate a new title.

In a preliminary total of 3334 votes cast in the mainly online poll, 1694 (51%) backed the current name and a further 6% (210) supported a shorter version: "The Settlers".

Among the eight options available, 23% support (765 votes) went to Dunedin Heritage Museum, with relatively minor backing for the rest: First City Museum (4%, 123), Platform 2 (7%, 223) Heritage Depot (3%, 92), Rewind Otago (4%, 129), Museum of Dunedin (3%, 98).

People could vote online either through the Otago Daily Times internet site (2445 votes), through the settlers museum site, or in hard copy format, and polling closed at noon yesterday.

Dunedin City Council general manager city strategy and development Sue Bidrose was "delighted" with the response.

"We asked for your help and you've told us in no uncertain terms that you like what we're doing with the museum and that you have a strong attachment to the OSM name,"she said.

The board will decide on the winner of the naming contest at a meeting next Thursday and will consider a report on the museum's future name and make a recommendation to the council.

john.gibb@odt.co.nz

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