About 50 society members gathered for the launch at the St John's Presbyterian Church hall on Sunday. They heard how hand-tinted postcards boomed in popularity because of affordable postage, new photographic technology and mass production from the 1880s to the outbreak of World War 1.
Acting president Marion Borrell, of Dalefield, said monochrome photographs were painted by hand, mostly by women in Germany, to create postcards to send general greetings, rather than greetings from holidaymakers to their family and friends, much as postcards are used today.
Mrs Borrell and calender co-ordinator and master of ceremonies Ben Saunders, plus Pat Paulin, Gavin Jack, Frances Lewis, Shona Blair, Brian Bayley, Denise Heckler and Owen Todd each talked about a postcard which appeared in the calendar.
Mr Jack and Mr Bayley pointed out how quickly the Kawarau Bridge and Kawarau dam were built, from idea to opening ceremony, compared with the lengthy wait for the proposed dual-lane replacement bridge near the dam.
Mrs Lewis noted how just about every businessman in Rees St was mayor of Queenstown at one stage, while Mr Saunders recalled how Kingston was once a bustling rail and maritime hub for mining, farming and tourism, boasting 10 hotels, stores and a bank.
The audience heard how the Crown Range road was only completely sealed in the year 2000.
Mrs Borrell reported how the county council in 1906 banned motor vehicles from using Frankton Rd, then a winding dirt track, to avoid scaring horses and to keep horse-drawn passengers safe.
However, motorists either hitched their cars to horses to get themselves to Queenstown or drove on Frankton Rd anyway in acts of "civil disobedience", which led to the council repealing the bylaw in 1915, she said.
The calendar is the only fundraising activity by the society each year.
• The recommended retail price for calendars is $15 each and $10 each for bulk purchases of 40 or more.
Calendars cost $17 each by mail, including postage. Mail orders should be sent to Historical Society Calendar Sales, PO Box 132, Queenstown.
