"An emotional occasion" was how Waitaki Mayor Alex Familton described Friday's launch of books, created by North Otago schoolchildren, to accompany artist Colin Wheeler's panels in the Opera House.
The project was the brainchild of Eleanor Sweeney, of Christchurch, who bought the 12 panels and then gave them to the town.
"Being an old schoolteacher, I thought if I could get the children interested in actually writing about them in their own words, that at least would involve some children in maybe getting interested in their own area and learning a little bit about it," she said yesterday.
She was "moved to tears" when she saw the books created by pupils from Totara, Fenwick, Pembroke, Kakanui, Weston and Oamaru Intermediate schools.
"You have done a most remarkable job. I'm so proud of you all," she told children at the launch.
The books will be in the foyer to read and each school received a copy.
Mr Familton said the significant occasion connected generations.
Mr Wheeler (90), who still paints daily, talked to pupils about his life and paintings as they worked on the project.
