Amelia Rogers Reserve (heritage)

[Head left after crossing the Avondale Footbridge.]

Kia ora!

To get here, did you walk or bike across the red, eye-catching Avondale Footbridge? I was able to fly a shortcut across the river and perch where a little cottage cum post office once stood.

Do you know who Amelia Rogers (1849-1924) was? She sounds a tenacious sort of person. She continued to live here despite the untimely death of her husband and the comparative remoteness of the location. Her life story illustrates how you humans can learn to adapt well to challenges and changes in your lives.

Many decades later, the Christchurch Earthquakes of the mid-2000s severely affected the circumstances of another generation of residents. Still today, the city’s inhabitants (human, animals and even plantlife!) continue to adapt to modified surroundings and ways of living. 

Sharing stories is a key way for learnings, wisdom and encouragement to be passed on. That’s why the stories of early residents, forebears and ancestors – such as Amelia – are important to us today. What might they teach us? If Amelia Rogers were alive today, what advice might she offer us? 

Many of our city’s stories and personal family histories are published or written down, but many are passed on orally. As you pause at this reserve – or later on today – you might like to share a story about your family with your whānau or friends. 

Right, history buffs, it’s time to continue on along the trail! Keep curious: what might you learn about East Christchurch as you walk or pedal along? 

Links:

Amelia Rodgers bio
https://christchurchcitylibraries.com/heritage/publications/unsungheroines/ameliafrancesrogers/

Next steps: 

Get positive and plant with Conservation Volunteers!
https://www.facebook.com/ChristchurchCVN

Whānau activity:

Record someone’s story. Ask about, and listen to, the life story of an older people you know. Record the story in some way (words, pictures and/or video).