Central Otago's golden year launched

Pictured beside part of an old gold dredge elevator bucket at last night's Dunstan Gold 150 launch in Alexandra are committee members (from left) Louise Joyce, of Earnscleugh; Mike Rooney, of Alexandra; Rory Butler, of Clyde; Chris Cockcroft, of Clyde; Karin Bowen, of Alexandra; and John Hanning, of Clyde. Absent were Helena Heydelaar, of Alexandra, and Martin Anderson, of Cromwell. Photo by Lynda Van Kempen.

The Dunstan Gold 150 celebration was launched at Central Stories Museum in Alexandra, the first of 87 events planned for the year to mark the 150th anniversary of the discovery of gold by Horatio Hartley and Christopher Reilly in the Cromwell Gorge in the winter of 1862.

A 60-page booklet called Gold Rush - Central Otago 1862, written by journalist Louise Joyce, of Earnscleugh, was also launched last night.

"We all know that gold was the foundation of Otago, and at the height of the gold gold rush there were 67 sailing ships anchored in the [Otago] harbour . . . imagine that. Gold brought 24,000 people to Central Otago and gold was the catalyst for innovation and entrepreneurship, " Central Otago Mayor Tony Lepper told about 60 people at the celebration launch.

Artist Grahame Sydney said Hartley and Reilly's initial haul of gold, 1044 ounces, would be worth nearly $2 million in today's terms, and sparked an "undreamed of rush" to Central Otago.

Ms Joyce said it was a joy to research and write her book.

"Passion, icon and iconic are three words that are overused, but they really do describe Central Otago for me, " she said.

Part of her research involved finding out what happened to Hartley and Reilly in their later years, "but if you want to know where they ended up, you'll just have to read the book."

Events planned throughout the year are based in Alexandra, Clyde, Fruitlands, the Nevis Valley, Galloway, Cromwell, Ophir, the Maniototo, St Bathans and Cambrian and include walks, four-wheel drive tours, musicals, a gold mine open day, wine and food festival, gold-panning championship and the unveiling of a sculpture to mark the anniversary.