Historic Exhibition 2023
Broad Bay – Whaka Oho Rahi
Looking Back, Moving Forward
20-29 October 2023
2023 was a year of note for Broad Bay: 175 years since the official European settlement of the area, 100 years since the Boat Club was founded, and 75 years since the Polish Church was moved here. We held an exhibition to highlight the heritage of the area and to show how it has changed over the years. The event started at Labour weekend: Friday 20th October was the launch night and the exhibition was open to the public until Sunday 29th October 2023.
Broad Bay Community Centre hosted a display of images, models, artifacts and stories charting the history of Broad Bay through its people, places and institutions and showing new developments in the area.
The opening night featured talks from some great speakers and a chance to take a first look at the exhibition. During the week there were further talks, opportunities to explore historic places including Fletcher House and the Polish Church free of charge, and an open afternoon at Broad Bay School. Weekend visitors were be able to sample a delicious vintage afternoon tea. Entry was by gold coin donation. Books of Broad Bay Stories and Boat Club calendars were be available for purchase and copies of historic photographs could be ordered.
On Sunday 22nd October a Peninsula Gala Day took place at the Broad Bay beach reserve starting at 11am. It was full of family fun, children’s entertainers, musical performances, food, and on the water, boat races and historic boats on view.
