item details
NameHunterville Consolidated School badge
ProductionMayer & Kean Limited; manufacturer; circa 1939; New Zealand
Classificationbadges
Materialsmetal, enamel
DimensionsOverall: 27mm (width), 32mm (height), 8mm (depth)
Registration NumberGH026207
Credit lineGift of the Withers family, 2022
Overview
This badge belonged to Elspeth Mary McCullum Withers (nee Simpson, 1927-2011, Aotearoa New Zealand).
The entwined letters 'HCS' stand for Hunterville Consolidated School. 'Consolidated' refers to the amalgamation of six smaller schools nearby: Silverhope (Paraekaretu), Rata, Putorino, Mangaonoho, Poukiore, Rata-iti. The school officially changed its name in 1939.
Elspeth was the oldest of four children. She rode a horse for about five miles from her family's farm 'Ongo' to attend school in Hunterville, and her family was involved in the school's life. For example her father, Douglas Daniel Simpson, chaired a committee which organised large fundraising fancy dress parties and parades in 1939 and 1940.