A ceremonial ribbon-cutting and morning tea was held at the school to recognise the work being done on the school’s historic Hall of Memories
Waitaki Boys’ rector Darryl Paterson said while there was still ‘‘a little bit of work’’ to be done, it was ‘‘virtually complete’’.
‘‘It’s not an opening as I said [in my speech], it’s more of a celebration of the restoration being virtually complete.’’
The building was ‘‘the heart of the school’’, he said.
‘‘It’s the most important building in our school and as prime ministers and governors-general have said in the past, it is one of [the], if not the most significant, certainly school war memorials in the whole country.’’
The hall was sold by the school’s board to the Ministry of Education in 2023, and the $2.5 million refit began last year.
The building was re-roofed and had undergone seismic strengthening.
Oamaru organ builder, restorer and tuner Ron Newton restored the 100-year-old organ, consisting of 1304 pipes.
Past and present board members as well as local contractors attended the celebration on April 9, alongside Waitaki MP Miles Anderson and Minister for Veterans Chris Penk.
The latter cut the ribbon.
Mr Penk said the hall was a ‘‘hugely significant building’’ for the Waitaki District and nationally too.
‘‘I’m actually quite humbled and blown away even to be able to see the extent of the remembrance,’’ he added.
‘‘Looking at some of the artefacts from naval history but also military history more generally.
‘‘The stained glass windows are frankly stunning and to see the history that’s captured in this place of memories is so important I think for future generations.’’
It was ‘‘crucially important’’ for buildings such as the Hall of Memories to be preserved, he said.
‘‘The heritage that we talk about in terms of buildings often relates to the physical architecture but actually more importantly, the people whose stories are told through the military history are the most important thing.’’
Mr Penk expressed his gratitude for all those involved in making the work successful.
Heritage New Zealand lists the building as a Category 1 historic place.
Its list entry said the hall ‘‘stands as one of the country’s finest war memorials’’.
The 1927 building was designed by Oamaru architect John Megget Forrester and served as a memorial to the Old Boys who served in World War 1, it said.
