A family of sixth generation Carterton children have been given a part of the Carterton Events Centre to help them remember where they came from and pass knowledge on the town to their future families.
Ruby, Oliver, Foster and Sam Hammond (pictured from left) are among eight grandchildren of Carterton resident Christine Hammond (also pictured), who bought a brick for each of her four children’s families as part of a ‘Buy a Brick’ scheme to help raise funds for the Centre. The bricks will be engraved with each family’s name and laid in the Centre’s central courtyard along with others bought by Centre supporters.
“I thought it was important that my grandchildren knew about that and recognise that this has always been their home patch,” Christine said.
Her great, great grandfather Richard Fairbrother was the first mayor of Carterton. The family have lived in the area ever since – “all the time that the town has been here”.
“The youngest four grandchildren may be too young to understand what it’s about now, when they’re my age they can bring their grandchildren to the Centre and show them what the town’s about.” Two of families live locally with one in Auckland and one in Havelock North.
Together with the brick, Christine gave each of the four families a family tree and a book about Carterton so they had something to remember the town by. She also made her own donation to the Centre
The Carterton Events Centre Trust formed to help build Carterton’s multi-purpose community centre is selling the bricks to help raise at least $1.5 million for the project. It is well on the way to reaching its target with $1.1 million raised to date.
“Buying a brick for the Centre is a great way for individuals, families and businesses to be a part of the centre and receive permanent recognition there,” said Carterton Events Centre Trust chairman, John Greenwood. “Wouldn’t it be great if every family and business in Carterton could be recognised with their own brick?”
The council-owned centre currently under construction in Holloway Street includes an upgraded and extended public library and a new town hall/auditorium able to host performing arts, cultural and community activities, exhibitions, conferences and social events. A youth centre will provide a robust, dedicated space for young people and children will benefit from new Plunket rooms and the toy library. A large foyer will double as an art exhibition area and information centre. Modern meeting rooms will provide comfortable places where locals and visitors can gather.
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