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Home / Gisborne Herald

Women’s indignation protest and river walk focus of Heritage weekend in Gisborne

Gisborne Herald
23 Jul, 2025 11:00 PM2 mins to read

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Gisborne historian Jean Johnson will speak at the Centre for Heritage on Sunday about how Nora Walker was denied her place on the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board in 1915 because of her gender.

Gisborne historian Jean Johnson will speak at the Centre for Heritage on Sunday about how Nora Walker was denied her place on the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board in 1915 because of her gender.

Heritage is to the fore this weekend with another free Taruheru River-focused walking tour on Saturday morning and a talk about Nora Walker and the 1915 Women’s Indignation Protest on Sunday afternoon.

The free guided tour, led by Heritage Tairāwhiti member Coralie Campbell-Whitehead, is the second in a series running on the last Saturday of every month, showcasing the history of the Taruheru River and some of the personalities involved in earlier times.

Heritage Tairāwhiti deputy chair Sheridan Gundry said last month’s tour, led by member Marty Reynolds, attracted about 50 people and was greatly enjoyed.

“Each tour will be led by a different member who brings their own knowledge and perspective to the tour.”

Heritage Tairāwhiti member Coralie Campbell-Whitehead will host a free guided tour showcasing the history of the Taruheru River on Saturday. The tour starts from the Centre for Heritage at 11am.
Heritage Tairāwhiti member Coralie Campbell-Whitehead will host a free guided tour showcasing the history of the Taruheru River on Saturday. The tour starts from the Centre for Heritage at 11am.
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On Sunday afternoon, historian Jean Johnston will tell the story of Nora Walker through words and images.

Walker was prevented from taking her place on the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board as the next highest polling candidate following a resignation, as it was presumed that “men filled public positions with more judgement than ladies”.

Her nomination to the board was accepted before being rescinded through a notice of motion by Dr Collins.

Mayor William Grice Sherratt then used his casting vote to elect himself as the council’s representative on the hospital board, thereby preventing Walker from becoming the first woman to hold public office in Gisborne.

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Her story links to that of Agnes Scott, who became the first Gisborne woman to be elected by Gisborne citizens into a public position when she became a member of the Cook Hospital Board in 1925.

Earlier this year, the Agnes Scott Memorial committee, of which Jean Johnston was a part, unveiled a memorial headstone to Scott and husband Francis at Taruheru Cemetery.

The free Taruheru tours run from The Centre for Heritage (the former Plunket building in Palmerston Rd) at 11am on the last Saturday of every month.

The centre, with its exhibition of historical photographs and information about the proposed Taruheru Trail shared pathway, will be open from 11am to 12.30pm.

Johnston’s talk at 2pm Sunday is $10 for Heritage Tairāwhiti members and $15 for non-members. Contact info@hpt.org.nz to book.

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