Tauranga students' pro-museum essays win them trip to Dunedin

Tauranga students Carla Roberts, 15, and Amy McAulay, 14, in Dunedin. Photo/Supplied.

Tauranga students Carla Roberts and Amy McAulay couldn't help but feel jealous of Dunedin's museum while walking the main streets of the South Island city.

Carla, 15 and Amy, 14, won a day-trip to Dunedin for their entries in Taonga Tauranga's essay competition aimed at engaging youth in Tauranga's proposed museum project which Tauranga City Council canned last month.

The competition asked students to describe their idea of a modern museum and explain why the Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty community would benefit from having one.

The Ōtūmoetai College students were winners in the junior section and won a return trip to Dunedin to visit the Toitu Dunedin Museum.

The pair also visited the Animation Research Ltd studios - a company that creates graphics for museums and major sports tournaments.

Flying into the South Island city on June 28, Carla and Amy says they were jealous Dunedin had a museum and Tauranga didn't.

"Even just walking down the streets there are so many people using the facility," Amy says.

Carla says it felt "historically significant" in Dunedin. "It is going places, but it also celebrates what has happened."

Amy's 8000-word essay outlined the education, economic and cultural benefits of having a museum in Tauranga.

"Tauranga has such rich history that is not being shown," she said. "Showing our culture would create much better cultural connections."

The 14-year-old suggested the museum could host conferences and be an "all-around" facility.

"It could bring more people into Tauranga."

Amy suggested a modern museum at the Cliff Rd site "because of its cultural significance".

"It would be interactive for all ages."

Carla said her essay discussed how a museum would inspire people.

"I think we need to celebrate our heritage."

The girls wanted to thank Classic Builders and its director Peter Cooney for sponsoring their trip to Dunedin.

WINNERS:
Senior winner: Aquinas College Year 13 student Lilli Scott won $1000
Senior runner-up: Ōtūmoetai College's Liv Donovan-Grammer won $500
Junior winner: Ōtūmoetai College's Amy McAulay won a trip to Dunedin
Junior runner-up: Ōtūmoetai College's Carla Roberts won a trip to Dunedin.