Honouring the sacrifices

Mayor Susan O’Regan, Don McKinnon, deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk and Jo Davies-Colley pictured earlier this year at a museum update in Auckland.

In a week’s time I will have the honour and privilege of attending the opening of the New Zealand Liberation Museum – Te Arawhata in Le Quesnoy, France, on behalf of the Cambridge community.

The story of the liberation of Le Quesnoy is one that is well known in our community and indeed across New Zealand. From artist and kaumatua Fred Graham’s memorial sculpture on Thornton Road, liberation images reflected in the stained glassed windows at St Andrew’s Church, then down past the cenotaph to Le Quesnoy place, our town reflects the bravery and sacrifice of our New Zealand soldiers when they liberated the small French town from German control on November 4, 1918. The battle reflected the core Anzac values of courage, perseverance, and sacrifice and to this day, the relationship between Le Quesnoy and New Zealand is a strong one, made even more valuable by the Cambridge-Le Quesnoy sister city relationship.

Lord Milner speaking at the unveiling of the New Zealand monument in Le Quesnoy, France, 15 July, 1923. “Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand” Photograph taken by Central Press, Fleet Street, London.

The New Zealand Liberation Museum – Te Arawhata – will provide a permanent memorial to not only those brave New Zealand soldiers who liberated Le Quesnoy but all New Zealanders who fought in Europe and for our freedom in the first world war. It will be a place to remember, connect and reflect and Weta Workshop’s expertise will mean the exhibitions themselves will be both interactive, innovative and powerfully emotive. Waipā District Council’s financial commitment to the museum in 2018 means this museum is special to us all, the stories and memories and the connections are part of our history as a town and a nation.

Jo Davies-Colley lays a wreath at the foot of the Fred Graham statue in Cambridge.

Cambridge Community Board looks after sister city relationships and it is our intention during this three-year term to maintain and preserve the important connections between Cambridge, Le Quesnoy and Bihoro, Japan. We are looking forward to hosting both French and Japanese delegations in November this year. Board member Alana MacKay and the Le Quesnoy and Bihoro Sister City working groups have been planning two exciting and memorable programmes for both delegations that showcase the Waipā district. Thank you to the Cambridge residents who have been helping us plan these visits, your knowledge and passion for each of these towns is invaluable. Thanks also to those who will be welcoming our visitors into their homes as guests.

The French delegation will be here for our Armistice commemorations and we are looking forward to sharing this important and special day with them.

I look forward to sharing more of my experience in Le Quesnoy through the Cambridge News over the next weeks as this important memorial to New Zealand’s military history is opened and commemorated.

See: French connection