Storyboard tells Livingstone’s history

New Zealand Remembrance Army Waitaki regional co-ordinator Barry Gamble (left) and Waitaki...
New Zealand Remembrance Army Waitaki regional co-ordinator Barry Gamble (left) and Waitaki District mayor Gary Kircher cut the ribbon to officially open the new storyboard and bench in Livingstone last week. PHOTO: NIC DUFF
Travellers going through Livingstone will now have a spot to sit and learn about the history of the area.

A history panel and bench were unveiled last week.

The board tells the story of the village.

It was the third of three projects for the Livingstone community.

The first was refurbishing the World War 1 monument last year, New Zealand Remembrance Army Waitaki regional co-ordinator Barry Gamble said.

Power transmission company, Transpower, approached Mr Gamble after they saw the work done to the monument and suggested he apply for funding for another project.

He consulted with Livingstone resident Sara McCunie and together they decided to build a sign board of photos at the monument.

Transpower then called Mr Gamble again and said they would double the amount of funding and that meant they could also build the storyboard bench.

Mrs McCunie spent two years researching the history of the area to get it all accurate for the signage.

Gold was first found in what was then called Ramsaytown in 1868.

It was renamed Livingstone in 1874 to honour explorer Dr David Livingstone.

Mrs McCunie’s house used to be the Livingstone School and the war monument is also on her property.

Waitaki District Mayor Gary Kircher attended the unveiling to cut the ribbon.