Central Hawke’s Bay Museum farewells longstanding chairman
The Central Hawke’s Bay Museum has farewelled its longstanding chairman, Hans Dresel.
A Porangahau resident and owner of Waipukurau business Red Snap’r Electric Fencing Systems, Hans announced his retirement last month after serving 12 years on the committee, nine of those at
the helm.
In that time he oversaw initiatives that ensured the museum continued to serve its place for the region both now and in the future. A lifelong businessman, he says he had no experience running a museum before joining up.
“It was a new thing for me, I had visited plenty of museums, and I had my private iron museum of items collected from around the world over many years, but I had always said that when I turned 65 I would go to the museum and work as a volunteer helping out with maintenance and whatever else I could do that was useful.”
He didn’t have to offer his services, he was asked to join, and within three years was invited to be chair after the previous one stood down.
One of his first actions was to formalise the committee’s meeting procedures.
“I introduced an agenda and minute taking, I wanted to make it more professional and accountable.”
He also helped select the current curator Jana Uhlirova, who with a Masters in Museology, was a rare find and continues to hold the position today, 10 years later.
The CHB District Council owns the building, but all its activities and displays are only possible with funding provided by the committee.
For many years, entry to the museum had been free, but with the need for more money to run its operations, Hans introduced a fee of $2 for a trial of three months, which worked well, and has since
been raised to $8 for adults, $5 for CHB residents and $2 for children.
Cleaning and painting the building also happened under his watch, but the most significant undertaking was the renovating of the hall into a purpose-built facility for local and touring
exhibitions, and functions.
It was no mean feat, he says.
“This space had been a complete dungeon, it was dark and cold in winter, and hot in summer – you could hear every truck that passed by.
“I asked around as to what would be needed to upgrade it to meet the requirements for exhibitions – it needed insulation, and temperature and humidity control among other things.”
Concerted fundraising efforts followed, and to ensure the facility was properly future-proofed, a door was positioned on the hall that would allow for the expansion of the building in the future if
desired.
He’s proud to have been a part of something that is a respected feature of the Central Hawke’s Bay landscape.
“If you look at it today everyone locally and further afield say it’s wonderful - people are very positive about it.”
Museum patron Charles Nairn says Hans has served the museum committee well with his “boundless enthusiasm and dedication.
“His energy and drive secured the funds that paid for the McCleary Exhibition Hall to be lined and temperature-controlled, such that sensitive artefacts can now be safely exhibited.
“Exhibitions such as Nga Taonga o Tamatea – Te Hokianga Mai, and World War 1 and 2 Soldiers’ Histories were particularly popular and successful displays in that space. As patron for the last seven years, I have enjoyed working with Hans – he will be a hard act to follow”.
The museum committee is always looking for volunteers who would like to join and contribute to this CHB facility. Anybody interested should contact phone (06) 857 7288 or email chbmuseum@xtra.co.nz.
