The Municipal Opera House of Palmerston North, designed by F J Wilson and built by J Trevor and Sons, was erected in 1904-1905 and opened 12 July 1905. In 1952 it was condemned as unsafe by the Palmerston North City Council and was strengthened and remodelled both inside and out in 1955. It was sold by the PNCC to a businessman in 1996 and demolished.
This documentary accompanied an exhibition of the same name held at Square Edge in June 2024.
The Untold Stories Project's desire for the future of this project is to inspire and help other descendants of Displaced Persons to research and write their stories before the stories are lost forever. They hope that this film, the Untold Stories book and the exhibition, will encourage you to start and will give you some ideas and guidance for your family research journey.
Acknowledgements:
This documentary film is kindly funded by Palmerston North City Council Natural and Cultural Incentive Fund: Promoting Palmy History and the Earle Creativity and Development Trust. The project is supported by Square Edge Community Arts Centre, Freedom Plus, Nick Watson, the Pahīatua Museum and the Heritage Department of the Palmerston North City Library. We are indebted to Warwick Smith who took on this film project as videographer and editor and from the beginning encouraged us to fully explore this historical period through film. The theme music is a Latvian folk composition loved by Talivaldis Ozolins and sent as sheet music to his mother Lucija Ozolins (Latvia) in a 1960s letter. It is played by Susan McConachy piano, Chris Dann piano and Rebekah Greig piano accordion Untold Stories team 2024: Dr Tania Kopytko, Mychelle Mihailof, Bruno Petrenas, Susie Tsaclis and Mary Zambazos We wish to acknowledge the generosity of many community members from across New Zealand who have come forward with help, information and resources that enabled us to create this.
This documentary accompanied an exhibition of the same name held at Square Edge in June 2024.
The Untold Stories Project's desire for the future of this project is to inspire and help other descendants of Displaced Persons to research and write their stories before the stories are lost forever. They hope that this film, the Untold Stories book and the exhibition, will encourage you to start and will give you some ideas and guidance for your family research journey.
Acknowledgements:
This documentary film is kindly funded by Palmerston North City Council Natural and Cultural Incentive Fund: Promoting Palmy History and the Earle Creativity and Development Trust. The project is supported by Square Edge Community Arts Centre, Freedom Plus, Nick Watson, the Pahīatua Museum and the Heritage Department of the Palmerston North City Library. We are indebted to Warwick Smith who took on this film project as videographer and editor and from the beginning encouraged us to fully explore this historical period through film. The theme music is a Latvian folk composition loved by Talivaldis Ozolins and sent as sheet music to his mother Lucija Ozolins (Latvia) in a 1960s letter. It is played by Susan McConachy piano, Chris Dann piano and Rebekah Greig piano accordion Untold Stories team 2024: Dr Tania Kopytko, Mychelle Mihailof, Bruno Petrenas, Susie Tsaclis and Mary Zambazos We wish to acknowledge the generosity of many community members from across New Zealand who have come forward with help, information and resources that enabled us to create this.
This documentary accompanied an exhibition of the same name held at Square Edge in June 2024.
The Untold Stories Project's desire for the future of this project is to inspire and help other descendants of Displaced Persons to research and write their stories before the stories are lost forever. They hope that this film, the Untold Stories book and the exhibition, will encourage you to start and will give you some ideas and guidance for your family research journey.
Acknowledgements:
This documentary film is kindly funded by Palmerston North City Council Natural and Cultural Incentive Fund: Promoting Palmy History and the Earle Creativity and Development Trust. The project is supported by Square Edge Community Arts Centre, Freedom Plus, Nick Watson, the Pahīatua Museum and the Heritage Department of the Palmerston North City Library. We are indebted to Warwick Smith who took on this film project as videographer and editor and from the beginning encouraged us to fully explore this historical period through film. The theme music is a Latvian folk composition loved by Talivaldis Ozolins and sent as sheet music to his mother Lucija Ozolins (Latvia) in a 1960s letter. It is played by Susan McConachy piano, Chris Dann piano and Rebekah Greig piano accordion Untold Stories team 2024: Dr Tania Kopytko, Mychelle Mihailof, Bruno Petrenas, Susie Tsaclis and Mary Zambazos We wish to acknowledge the generosity of many community members from across New Zealand who have come forward with help, information and resources that enabled us to create this.
This documentary accompanied an exhibition of the same name held at Square Edge in June 2024.
The Untold Stories Project's desire for the future of this project is to inspire and help other descendants of Displaced Persons to research and write their stories before the stories are lost forever. They hope that this film, the Untold Stories book and the exhibition, will encourage you to start and will give you some ideas and guidance for your family research journey.
Acknowledgements:
This documentary film is kindly funded by Palmerston North City Council Natural and Cultural Incentive Fund: Promoting Palmy History and the Earle Creativity and Development Trust. The project is supported by Square Edge Community Arts Centre, Freedom Plus, Nick Watson, the Pahīatua Museum and the Heritage Department of the Palmerston North City Library. We are indebted to Warwick Smith who took on this film project as videographer and editor and from the beginning encouraged us to fully explore this historical period through film. The theme music is a Latvian folk composition loved by Talivaldis Ozolins and sent as sheet music to his mother Lucija Ozolins (Latvia) in a 1960s letter. It is played by Susan McConachy piano, Chris Dann piano and Rebekah Greig piano accordion Untold Stories team 2024: Dr Tania Kopytko, Mychelle Mihailof, Bruno Petrenas, Susie Tsaclis and Mary Zambazos We wish to acknowledge the generosity of many community members from across New Zealand who have come forward with help, information and resources that enabled us to create this.
L - R Becca Hoffman, Robyn Wilson, Susie Williams-Dobson and Kynne Kroll, all PNCC staff who contributed to preparing the Blanquilt
Journalist Tina White's weekly "Memory Lane" article in the Manawatū Standard. A new book,* Power: Electrical Supply to the Manawatū* by Colin Rush looks back at the history of local power supply since 1878. The author joined the Manawatū-Oroua Electric Power Board in 1968 and is a member of the Friends of the Powerhouse (2014).
Keith Street power station is one of New Zealand's few surviving power stations with operational engines. The station, built in the 1920s to supply power to the region, is now a heritage community asset, under the care of a Trust.
In a formal ceremony held at the Showgrounds in Palmerston North, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, presented the Royal New Zealand Air Force's No. 75 Squadron with a Standard for ‘specially outstanding operations’.
This image depicts her arrival at the showgrounds and introduction to Mayor W. B. Tennant and other dignitaries.
Elizabeth’s 1958 visit to Palmerston North was part of a wider Royal tour of New Zealand which also included stops in Auckland, Kaitaia, Hamilton, Napier, New Plymouth, and Wellington. In the South Island, she visited Blenheim, Dunedin, Invercargill and Christchurch.
In a formal ceremony held at the Showgrounds in Palmerston North, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, presented the Royal New Zealand Air Force's No. 75 Squadron with a Standard for ‘specially outstanding operations’.
This image depicts the 75th Squadron on parade before the Royal dais. Cuba Street runs behind the grandstand packed with watching members of the public.
Elizabeth’s 1958 visit to Palmerston North was part of a wider Royal tour of New Zealand which also included stops in Auckland, Kaitaia, Hamilton, Napier, New Plymouth, and Wellington. In the South Island, she visited Blenheim, Dunedin, Invercargill and Christchurch.
In a formal ceremony held at the Showgrounds in Palmerston North, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, presented the Royal New Zealand Air Force's No. 75 Squadron with a Standard for ‘specially outstanding operations’.
This image is believed to depict the Queen Mother being introduced to the officer commanding the parade, Squadron Leader G. Amor.
Elizabeth’s 1958 visit to Palmerston North was part of a wider Royal tour of New Zealand which also included stops in Auckland, Kaitaia, Hamilton, Napier, New Plymouth, and Wellington. In the South Island, she visited Blenheim, Dunedin, Invercargill and Christchurch.
In a formal ceremony held at the Showgrounds in Palmerston North, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, presented the Royal New Zealand Air Force's No. 75 Squadron with a Standard for ‘specially outstanding operations’.
Mayor W. B. Tennant and other civic dignitaries await the Queen Mother’s arrival at the Showgrounds.
Elizabeth’s 1958 visit to Palmerston North was part of a wider Royal tour of New Zealand which also included stops in Auckland, Kaitaia, Hamilton, Napier, New Plymouth, and Wellington. In the South Island, she visited Blenheim, Dunedin, Invercargill and Christchurch.
In a formal ceremony held at the Showgrounds in Palmerston North, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, presented the Royal New Zealand Air Force's No. 75 Squadron with a Standard for ‘specially outstanding operations’.
This image depicts the Royal Coat of Arms on display at the Showgrounds.
Elizabeth’s 1958 visit to Palmerston North was part of a wider Royal tour of New Zealand which also included stops in Auckland, Kaitaia, Hamilton, Napier, New Plymouth, and Wellington. In the South Island, she visited Blenheim, Dunedin, Invercargill and Christchurch.
In a formal ceremony held at the Showgrounds in Palmerston North, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, presented the Royal New Zealand Air Force's No. 75 Squadron with a Standard for ‘specially outstanding operations’.
This image is similar to one published in black and white by the Manawatu Evening Standard on 7th February 1958, the caption of which read: “The bright colourings which assisted to impress the scene on the thousands of persons at the Showgrounds yesterday will not soon be forgotten. The Queen Mother, dressed in dainty pink, was contrasted against the deep red, green and silver of the Royal Dais… behind her [in brown uniform] is the commander of the R.N.Z.A.F. Ohakea (Group Captain C. A. Turner)…”
Elizabeth’s 1958 visit to Palmerston North was part of a wider Royal tour of New Zealand which also included stops in Auckland, Kaitaia, Hamilton, Napier, New Plymouth, and Wellington. In the South Island, she visited Blenheim, Dunedin, Invercargill and Christchurch.
In a formal ceremony held at the Showgrounds in Palmerston North, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, presented the Royal New Zealand Air Force's No. 75 Squadron with a Standard for ‘specially outstanding operations’.
This image the Squadron Standard on parade after its formal presentation by the Queen Mother. The Manawatu Evening Standard reported that the Standard consisted of a “…fringed and tasselled light blue silken banner mounted on a pike which is crowned with a golden eagle. Eight selected battle honours (No. 75 Squadron has a total of 14 Battle Honours) are in scrolls surrounding the Squadron Badge. The whole is enclosed in a decorative border of golden fern fronds.”
Elizabeth’s 1958 visit to Palmerston North was part of a wider Royal tour of New Zealand which also included stops in Auckland, Kaitaia, Hamilton, Napier, New Plymouth, and Wellington. In the South Island, she visited Blenheim, Dunedin, Invercargill and Christchurch.
In a formal ceremony held at the Showgrounds in Palmerston North, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, presented the Royal New Zealand Air Force's No. 75 Squadron with a Standard for ‘specially outstanding operations’.
Mayor W. B. Tennant introduces the Queen Mother to civic dignitaries in front of the Grandstand before the ceremony.
Elizabeth’s 1958 visit to Palmerston North was part of a wider Royal tour of New Zealand which also included stops in Auckland, Kaitaia, Hamilton, Napier, New Plymouth, and Wellington. In the South Island, she visited Blenheim, Dunedin, Invercargill and Christchurch.
In a formal ceremony held at the Showgrounds in Palmerston North, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, presented the Royal New Zealand Air Force's No. 75 Squadron with a Standard for ‘specially outstanding operations’.
This image depicts her arrival at the showgrounds and introduction to Mayor W. B. Tennant and other dignitaries.
Elizabeth’s 1958 visit to Palmerston North was part of a wider Royal tour of New Zealand which also included stops in Auckland, Kaitaia, Hamilton, Napier, New Plymouth, and Wellington. In the South Island, she visited Blenheim, Dunedin, Invercargill and Christchurch.
In a formal ceremony held at the Showgrounds in Palmerston North, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, presented the Royal New Zealand Air Force's No. 75 Squadron with a Standard for ‘specially outstanding operations’.
This image depicts the Standard being received by Pilot Officer T. E. Enright, who was the recipient of the Queen’s Gold Medal and the Sword of Honour as the top-ranking cadet at both Halton College and Cranwell in England.
Elizabeth’s 1958 visit to Palmerston North was part of a wider Royal tour of New Zealand which also included stops in Auckland, Kaitaia, Hamilton, Napier, New Plymouth, and Wellington. In the South Island, she visited Blenheim, Dunedin, Invercargill and Christchurch.
In a formal ceremony held at the Showgrounds in Palmerston North, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, presented the Royal New Zealand Air Force's No. 75 Squadron with a Standard for ‘specially outstanding operations’.
This image is similar to one published in black and white by the Manawatu Evening Standard on 7th February 1958, the caption of which read: “The bright colourings which assisted to impress the scene on the thousands of persons at the Showgrounds yesterday will not soon be forgotten. The Queen Mother, dressed in dainty pink, was contrasted against the deep red, green and silver of the Royal Dais… behind her [in brown uniform] is the commander of the R.N.Z.A.F. Ohakea (Group Captain C. A. Turner)…”
Elizabeth’s 1958 visit to Palmerston North was part of a wider Royal tour of New Zealand which also included stops in Auckland, Kaitaia, Hamilton, Napier, New Plymouth, and Wellington. In the South Island, she visited Blenheim, Dunedin, Invercargill and Christchurch.
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In a formal ceremony held at the Showgrounds in Palmerston North, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, presented the Royal New Zealand Air Force's No. 75 Squadron with a Standard for ‘specially outstanding operations’.
Mayor W. B. Tennant escorts the Queen Mother past the crowds in the Grandstand before the ceremony.
Elizabeth’s 1958 visit to Palmerston North was part of a wider Royal tour of New Zealand which also included stops in Auckland, Kaitaia, Hamilton, Napier, New Plymouth, and Wellington. In the South Island, she visited Blenheim, Dunedin, Invercargill and Christchurch.
In a formal ceremony held at the Showgrounds in Palmerston North, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, presented the Royal New Zealand Air Force's No. 75 Squadron with a Standard for ‘specially outstanding operations’.
This image depicts her arrival at the showgrounds and introduction to Mayor W. B. Tennant and other dignitaries.
Elizabeth’s 1958 visit to Palmerston North was part of a wider Royal tour of New Zealand which also included stops in Auckland, Kaitaia, Hamilton, Napier, New Plymouth, and Wellington. In the South Island, she visited Blenheim, Dunedin, Invercargill and Christchurch.
In a formal ceremony held at the Showgrounds in Palmerston North, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, presented the Royal New Zealand Air Force's No. 75 Squadron with a Standard for ‘specially outstanding operations’.
This image depicts her arrival at the showgrounds and introduction to Mayor W. B. Tennant and other dignitaries.
Elizabeth’s 1958 visit to Palmerston North was part of a wider Royal tour of New Zealand which also included stops in Auckland, Kaitaia, Hamilton, Napier, New Plymouth, and Wellington. In the South Island, she visited Blenheim, Dunedin, Invercargill and Christchurch.
In a formal ceremony held at the Showgrounds in Palmerston North, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, presented the Royal New Zealand Air Force's No. 75 Squadron with a Standard for ‘specially outstanding operations’.
This image is believed to depict the R.N.Z.A.F. Ohakea Group Captain C. A. Turner.
Elizabeth’s 1958 visit to Palmerston North was part of a wider Royal tour of New Zealand which also included stops in Auckland, Kaitaia, Hamilton, Napier, New Plymouth, and Wellington. In the South Island, she visited Blenheim, Dunedin, Invercargill and Christchurch.
In a formal ceremony held at the Showgrounds in Palmerston North, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, presented the Royal New Zealand Air Force's No. 75 Squadron with a Standard for ‘specially outstanding operations’.
This image depicts her arrival at the showgrounds and introduction to Mayor W. B. Tennant and other dignitaries.
Elizabeth’s 1958 visit to Palmerston North was part of a wider Royal tour of New Zealand which also included stops in Auckland, Kaitaia, Hamilton, Napier, New Plymouth, and Wellington. In the South Island, she visited Blenheim, Dunedin, Invercargill and Christchurch.
In a formal ceremony held at the Showgrounds in Palmerston North, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, presented the Royal New Zealand Air Force's No. 75 Squadron with a Standard for ‘specially outstanding operations’.
This image depicts the Rev. M. N. Dickey, chaplain at the RNZAF Ohakea airbase, performing the consecration of the Squadron Standard.
Elizabeth’s 1958 visit to Palmerston North was part of a wider Royal tour of New Zealand which also included stops in Auckland, Kaitaia, Hamilton, Napier, New Plymouth, and Wellington. In the South Island, she visited Blenheim, Dunedin, Invercargill and Christchurch.
In a formal ceremony held at the Showgrounds in Palmerston North, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, presented the Royal New Zealand Air Force's No. 75 Squadron with a Standard for ‘specially outstanding operations’.
This image depicts members of a Scottish pipe band at rest to the side of the Royal Dais. Cuba Street runs in the background behind the public grandstand.
Elizabeth’s 1958 visit to Palmerston North was part of a wider Royal tour of New Zealand which also included stops in Auckland, Kaitaia, Hamilton, Napier, New Plymouth, and Wellington. In the South Island, she visited Blenheim, Dunedin, Invercargill and Christchurch.
In a formal ceremony held at the Showgrounds in Palmerston North, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, presented the Royal New Zealand Air Force's No. 75 Squadron with a Standard for ‘specially outstanding operations’.
This image depicts the 75th Squadron band before the Royal dais.
Elizabeth’s 1958 visit to Palmerston North was part of a wider Royal tour of New Zealand which also included stops in Auckland, Kaitaia, Hamilton, Napier, New Plymouth, and Wellington. In the South Island, she visited Blenheim, Dunedin, Invercargill and Christchurch.
In a formal ceremony held at the Showgrounds in Palmerston North, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, presented the Royal New Zealand Air Force's No. 75 Squadron with a Standard for ‘specially outstanding operations’.
This image depicts the 75th Squadron on parade before the Royal dais. Cuba Street runs behind the grandstand packed with watching members of the public.
Elizabeth’s 1958 visit to Palmerston North was part of a wider Royal tour of New Zealand which also included stops in Auckland, Kaitaia, Hamilton, Napier, New Plymouth, and Wellington. In the South Island, she visited Blenheim, Dunedin, Invercargill and Christchurch.
In a formal ceremony held at the Showgrounds in Palmerston North, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, presented the Royal New Zealand Air Force's No. 75 Squadron with a Standard for ‘specially outstanding operations’.
This image depicts her arrival at the showgrounds and introduction to Mayor W. B. Tennant and other dignitaries.
Elizabeth’s 1958 visit to Palmerston North was part of a wider Royal tour of New Zealand which also included stops in Auckland, Kaitaia, Hamilton, Napier, New Plymouth, and Wellington. In the South Island, she visited Blenheim, Dunedin, Invercargill and Christchurch.
In a formal ceremony held at the Showgrounds in Palmerston North, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, presented the Royal New Zealand Air Force's No. 75 Squadron with a Standard for ‘specially outstanding operations’.
This image depicts the officer commanding the parade, Squadron Leader G. Amor.
Elizabeth’s 1958 visit to Palmerston North was part of a wider Royal tour of New Zealand which also included stops in Auckland, Kaitaia, Hamilton, Napier, New Plymouth, and Wellington. In the South Island, she visited Blenheim, Dunedin, Invercargill and Christchurch.
In a formal ceremony held at the Showgrounds in Palmerston North, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, presented the Royal New Zealand Air Force's No. 75 Squadron with a Standard for ‘specially outstanding operations’.
This image depicts Elizabeth’s arrival in a Ford Zodiac Limousine.
Elizabeth’s 1958 visit to Palmerston North was part of a wider Royal tour of New Zealand which also included stops in Auckland, Kaitaia, Hamilton, Napier, New Plymouth, and Wellington. In the South Island, she visited Blenheim, Dunedin, Invercargill and Christchurch.