Looking back

Gore District Mayor Alexander Newman escorts Queen Elizabeth II along Gore's Main St on January 28, 1954, during her tour of New Zealand.

The queen was hosted by the Gore Women's Club, upstairs in H&J Smith, before travelling on to Invercargill

A commemorative plaque of this event can still be seen at the entrance to the former department store.

The queen visited 46 towns and cities and attended 110 separate functions during the tour.