Topic: Discovering Local Heroes
Topic type:
Case study of how Kete has moved from a virtual 'exhibition' to a very real exhibition, complete with replica aeroplane, at Levin Library.
I wanted to share this lovely Kete story ....
We were contacted by Joan O'Dea who had heard about Kete Horowhenua.
She wondered if we might be able to help her enter the details of her father's pioneer flying exploits. She had promised her Mother, many many years ago, that she would one day publish her father's story and this seemed a way to do that. 
Joan wasn't at all confident about physically contributing content , so Pippa said bring it in and we'll see what we can do. While we don't want to be the default historians for our town sometimes we just have to create Kete content ourselves... especially when the subject is this good!
Joan brought us in a bunch of stuff: a story she had written, a bunch of clippings, old photos and some plans. Wow! This stuff was great. This was the story of a local bloke who really achieved something great in the true spirit of number 8 piece of wire innovation. We love heros like this - long forgotten local heroes!
So Pippa loaded the stuff into Kete Horowhenua, made a nice looking Topic, and we made in a feature on the home page.
Next thing we know, Joan is speaking a the local Historical Society meeting. One of the guys in the audience was from the Vintage Car Club.... (you guessing what happens next?)
So this week, we are delighted to have in the Levin Library a replica of Martin Butler's aeroplane - built by the Vintage Car Club men. It has a Model A Ford motor, big old radiator, a section of the wing, an original spare handcrafted wooden propeller (read the story ....) and some of Martin's bits and pieces including flying helmet, goggles, jacket and boiler suit. We have a powerpoint presentation of material drawn from Kete looping in the display, and Joan has been spending time in library talking to the dozens and dozens of people who stop by and look and want to chat.
Men of all ages - from shiny 8 year old boys to grizzly 80 year olds are stopping and poring over the plans, photos and memorabilia in the display. The library is busy, busy, busy and people are making a point of coming in our doors - people we don't usually see.
The local newspaper has run a feature and Joan has been interviewed on the local radio station. Next weekend she will repeat her well received Historical Society presentation for the general public - at the Library.
This is our living history. We still have folk around who remember 1932 and our community have loved rediscovering a local hero.
