Creating and researching the six panels has been a board project for the West Harbour Community Board for the past three years, after it was instigated by then council representative Cr Mandy Mayhem.
Since then, aspects of the historic research, writing, panel design and placement have been tackled by a team of people, including Cr Mayhem, board members Duncan Eddy and Marian Poole, historian Peter Cole, and Blueskin News editor and expert designer Bernie Cornford.
The $468 cost of printing the signs on thin aluminium by the local branch of signage company Signbiz (formerly Williams Signs) was funded through the West Harbour Community Board’s Discretionary Fund.
Ms Mayhem said it was great to see the signs in place at interesting sites around Port Chalmers, providing insights into the rich history of the area for visitors and locals alike.
"People will be able to get a real sense of what lies beneath the surface here in Port Chalmers."
The historic information panels are placed at the Port Chalmers cenotaph in Chalmers Pl, near the site of the former Band Rotunda at Tuckett’s Corner in George St, at Ibisters Bay, Deborah Bay and Carey’s Bay.
The Carey’s Bay signs are double-sided, in order to explore the history of the bay itself — known in the early 1900s as a ship’s graveyard, as well as well-known "Harbour Hulks" — the Thomas and Henry, the Don Juan, and the Esk.
The placement and installation of the signs was completed by Dunedin City Council contractors following liaison with the council, Heritage NZ, the Carey’s Bay Association and Dunedin RSA.
The project was also supported by Cam McCracken, director of Toitū Otago Settlers Museum, Dunedin Public Art Gallery and Olveston.
Ms Poole, who oversaw the final installation of the panels on behalf of the board, said the signs had been carefully placed to ensure they enhanced people’s viewing of areas.
Historic Buildings
In addition to the historic panels project, West Harbour Community Board member Duncan Eddy has also recently completed a booklet titled Main Street Historic Buildings of Port Chalmers.
The booklet highlights the history of some of the township’s most notable buildings, including Robertson’s Butchery, Dodds Chemist, the Otago Seafarers Centre, Mackies Hotel, The Bank of Otago, Port Stables, Forester Hall, Sailors’ Rest and many more.
Produced with funding from the DCC’s Small Projects Fund, 50 copies of the booklets are available for locals and visitors to Port Chalmers to pick up through the library and at other sites.
