Student displays passion for history

Ohakune historian Stanley Fraser has an exhibition at Massey University in Palmerston North. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Stanley Fraser has had a keen interest in New Zealand history since he was a small boy growing up in Ohakune on the family farm.

Learning about the Tangiwai Disaster when he was just six was where it all started for him, he said.

With 75 postcards and photographs from several private collections, he has mounted a display at the Massey University Library in Palmerston North where he is in his third and final year of studying accountancy.

Outside of university, the 20-year-old is treasurer of the Palmerston North Youth Council and is also a member of Whanganui Regional Heritage Trust and the New Zealand Postcard Society.

Last year he created two videos on sawmilling and tourism in the Ruapehu District for the Raetihi-Ohakune Rotary Club's 50th Celebrations.

"It meant talking to a lot of the old identities and writing their personal stories and memories."

Over the years people have given him old historical items, including photographs, he said.

"In some cases family members were not interested in them."

And in recent years he had been given a number of photographs and postcards from all across the country.

"Many of these are in this display."

"It is a real shame that a lot of our heritage is burnt, dumped or scrapped.

"At the end of the day I am only a custodian of these items to ensure they are not lost forever".

"This display is about sharing our unique history, in order to keep it alive".

The display is also accompanied with books from the Massey University Library, including the Pacific materials Bagnall Collection.