Gifford Observatory Renovation Progress

History before 1999

The proposal to restore the Gifford Memorial Observatory was first mooted in 1997 by Robert Campbell, who at that time was Head of Science at Wellington College. Robert had spent considerable time and effort in piecing back together the parts of the Zeiss refractor telescope that had become separated after the Observatory's decline in the late 1970's.

A small group of interested people worked through 1998 and early 1999 looking at the feasibility of the project and other possibilities. The group consulted engineers, architects, designers, city planners, historians and so on to piece together a common understanding of the status of the land on which the Observatory is sited, what could be realistically achieved and how to proceed with the project.

1999 - Access Path

During 1999, accessibility to the Gifford Memorial Observatory site was vastly improved, largely due to the efforts of Les Meek - an old boy of Wellington College and strong supporter of Trust's activities. Les voluntarily designed and constructed a new path up to the site. This new path features wooden steps and handrails, and greatly eases the climb up to the site from Wellington College's main grounds. Most of the material supplies for this work was purchased at significant discount from "friendly" suppliers due to Les' efforts.

His Excellency the Governor General Sir Michael Hardie Boys formally opened this path in September 1999.

In addition, in late 1999 the observatory site was cleared of vegetation, and native trees and shrubs planted alongside the new path to the observatory.

Trust Formation

In October 1999, the Trust was incorporated as a non-profit organisation.

In November 1999 the Trust was granted both 'charitable' and 'donee' status by Inland Revenue. Charitable status provides exemption from gift duty in relation to gifts to the Trust. Donee status provides a rebate for income tax purposes for donations of $5.00 or more by individuals to the Trust, and a deduction from income tax in respect of cash donations made by companies to the Trust.

In the mean time, the Trust had established a bank account and commenced fund raising activities. Funds have been raised from:

• Ticket sales for the "Astronomers' Ball" (hosted by their Excellencies The Governor-General of New Zealand and Lady Hardie Boys at Government House)
• Donations received from "Principal Donors" and other miscellaneous individual donations
• Donations received towards the construction costs of the path to the Observatory under the $50 "Adopt-a-Post" scheme
• Donations received from a combined public lecture and "Star Party" evening
• Various other fund raising activities

Work in 2001

Work has proceeded throughout 2001 to return the observatory to beyond it's former glory though a continuous series of working parties and individual efforts of a core of devoted contributors:

Once the walls were safe the roof went on to form a platform to receive the new dome. It was an awe inspiring sight for all involved when on February 9th the new dome flew. Then came more hard graft as the internal building was lined and painted, the path relaid and the endless adjustments to the Shutter but it is not long now (October 2001) until light will once more flow into the Gifford Telescope.

Work in 2002

Work proceeds and the first light has shone through the restored Gifford Observatory Telescope and the Observatory is almost ready for opening

Trust Accounts