Make-over for historic school

The historic Skippers Point School, pictured to the right of this photo, which is being make-over...
The historic Skippers Point School, pictured to the right of this photo, which is being make-over by the Department of Conservation this week. Pictured to the left is the historic Skippers homestead, with the green roof, and various sheds also on the site.
The historic Skippers Point School, located in the Skippers Canyon, is being given a make-over this week, with Department of Conservation staff replacing weatherboards, painting and clearing vegetation from around the school house and associated buildings.

Doc ranger Stew Hardie said the schoolhouse, opened in 1879, was significant for two main reasons.

It was located in the most "scenically stunning spot in the country" and it was one of just two remaining timber buildings in Skippers Canyon dating back to the goldrush era.

The school was opened at the height of gold mining in the Shotover River - which was then dubbed the richest river in the world.

Skippers Township became the largest gold settlement on the Shotover and, in its heyday, the school boasted 27 pupils on its roll.

However, as the gold petered out, so did the resident population and the school was closed in 1927.

"When Doc first started restoration work on the school, in 1989, it was pretty rundown and derelict," Mr Hardie said.

"It'd been used as a woolshed for many years and then stood empty for about 20 years after that.

The work we're doing now is part of ongoing maintenance."

The school house, which was open to the public and near a Doc camping area, was now a main feature of Mt Aurum Recreation Reserve.

Nearby features included Mt Aurum Homestead, Skippers Point Cemetery which contained 20 headstones and graves, huge tailings at Pleasant Point, and the 110-year-old Skippers suspension bridge.

Doc Wakatipu area manager Greg Lind said the reserve attracted thousands of visitors each year due to its dramatic views and recreation opportunities including camping, mountain biking and tramping.

"It's a great place to have fun, but connect to our heritage at the same time.

"The current maintenance work will ensure that we can keep enjoying the area for years to come."

 

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