Quiz raises $11k for museum exhibition

After raising $11,000 at a fundraiser, the Eastern Southland Gallery has the dream of buying Jo Ogier’s art of the Mataura River in sight.

More than 120 people were invited to Croydon Lodge for a quiz night, testing their skills of deduction and memory.

A special portion was dedicated to identifying doors around Gore, which stumped a fair few of even the most well-travelled in the crowd.

Following this, an auction was held with donated goods including art pieces, tickets to events, and an a history book collection.

The organisers were hoping to raise $10,000, and they walked away with $11,000 to help buy Jo Ogier’s suite of art pieces — "He Wai Apakura — Te Ara Pounamu / The River’s Lament — A Pathway of Treasures".

The suite details the flora and fauna of the historical Mataura River, and will hopefully feature heavily in the new Māruawai Centre museum facility.

The planned exhibition, "He Hikoi a Te Awaawa Mataura — A Journey Through the Mataura River", will enable visitors to learn all about the histories, food gathering sites and the flora and fauna of the region.

The art pieces will be digitalised and preserved, allowing for their permanent display in the facility.

Gallery programmes officer Marcella Geddes said it was an excellent night with everyone getting on board.

"We’re absolutely thrilled with the support. It’s an indication of just how much we do have out there for our programmes and events."

The goal of having Ogier’s art continue to educate and inspire others with a historical look at our local river was just around the corner, she said.

"This is going to get us very, very close to our final goal."

gerrit.doppenberg@alliedpress.co.nz