The Gabriels Gully sesquicentennial celebrations committee has been formed to plan events to mark the 150th anniversary of Gabriel Read's discovery of gold near Lawrence in 1861, which sparked the Otago gold rush.
Committee chairman Wayman Roughan told a recent Clutha District Development Board meeting at Lawrence about its plans for the celebrations, which are timed to begin in less than three years.
Minutes from that meeting reveal Mr Roughan talked about plans to stage a series of events during the year, with emphasis to be placed on a national or international event linked to a series of local and regional events.
An example would be holding the annual Lawrence rodeo in February to add a sesquicentennial emphasis.
A parade, drama production and Goldfields cavalcade were also being considered, he said.
The committee was also working with the Department of Conservation to upgrade Gabriels Gully in time for the celebrations, while a walking track from Lawrence to Gabriels Gully was also on the agenda.
Mr Roughan said there would be an emphasis placed on the area's Chinese history, including a focus on the proposed Chinese camp redevelopment, a dinner and fireworks display.
