Hawkes Bay Founders Essay competition highlights young history talent

More than 70 Founders members attending their August Afternoon Tea meeting at the Ellwood Function Centre, Hastings, were delighted to hear of a family history as seen through the eyes and research of a young person.

Jack Blyth, 12, of Weber, Tararua district, and a year 8 student at Hereworth School, read out the contents of his prize-winning essay, ‘My family – a new life in New Zealand.’ Jack’s winning entry was the culmination of a pilot essay competition organised by Founders Hawke’s Bay branch vice-president, Kath La Rooy and president, Paddy Bayley, in an attempt to encourage young people to take an interest in their family’s history, especially in relation to settlement in New Zealand. The boys (Year 8) began researching and writing in February of this year, with the winner and two highly commended participants announced in June. Founders Hawke’s Bay branch donated a prize of $100 for the winner and also donated towards books for the school.

Jack’s essay traced the familiar themes of early settlement in New Zealand. The prospect of a better life, hardships along the way, and some particularly memorable events for some family members. For example, Jack’s great, great, great grandfather was killed while working underground in the Brunner mine disaster (West Coast), of 1896.  His great grandmother, in a legendary tightrope act of the day (1929), was wheeled across a gorge on a 90-foot rope by her uncle. Jack also traced the origin of a girl’s name, ‘Zella,’ which has passed down the generations.

Reading his essay for the Founders audience was a proud moment for young Jack, with his mother and two sisters looking on.

Jack’s essay will be published in full in the 2017 issue of the Founders Bulletin, which will be available in early January 2018.

Photos:

Jack Blyth with Founders essay competition organisers, Hawke’s Bay branch president, Paddy Bayley, left, and vice president, Kath La Rooy.