Art and political heritage came together on 22 August to help celebrate the opening of the refurbished George Forbes Memorial Library in Lincoln University’s Ivey Hall.
The library, originally housed in the George Forbes Memorial Building, is named for former Prime Minister George Forbes, a north Canterbury farmer and Member of Parliament for Hurunui, who held office from 1930-35. It was moved into Ivey Hall in 1988 to accommodate Lincoln’s expanding roll and growing book and journal collection.
A recently completed two-year, two-stage refurbishment programme has opened up new floor space, provided state-of-the-art information retrieval facilities, and added extensive study and computer areas, two teaching labs, an information commons (known as the iZone), and other facilities all aimed at enhancing the University’s services to students.
The celebration was attended by descendants of George Forbes and many other guests representing connections with the occasion.
The centrepiece of the function was the presentation of a painting to the University by artist Maurie Angelo, who is a Lincoln graduate and past staff member in the Landscape Architecture Group. The painting, acrylic on canvas, is titled Monte Cassino Feb. 15th 1944.
The artist was introduced by fellow New Zealand painter Don Peebles who said that in his artwork Maurie Angelo has “given us structured statements that deserve our careful and sustained attention”.
The presentation also signalled the start of a public exhibition of works in the Lincoln University by Maurie Angelo which include pieces reflecting his thoughts on New Zealand soldiers in wartime Italy and the Apennine mountains where he has spent much time painting.
Maurie said his Monte Cassino painting was dedicated to the “young people, some from Lincoln College, who had their lives and futures shattered as they were plucked out for military service and the horrors of war”.
These service personnel were represented at the ceremony by the Chairman of the South Island branch of the Italy Star Association, Jack Cummins, who served in Italy with the 22nd Infantry Battalion.
Tribute to George Forbes
The refurbishment of Ivey Hall has given Lincoln University’s students a library with first class features and the best of technological facilities, said Acting Vice-Chancellor Dr Chris Kirk, speaking at the opening celebration ceremony.
Dr Kirk welcomed descendants of the Rt Hon George Forbes - Forbes and Virginia Mackenzie and Richard and Sally Forbes and son James - and he noted the many generational connections that the Forbes family has with Lincoln University. Forbes and Richard are both graduates as are their children David and Stuart Mackenzie and James, Duncan and Belinda Forbes.
The first public display in Ivey Hall of memorabilia relating to the Prime Ministership of George Forbes was a big feature of the celebration. The memorabilia has not been on view since the library moved from the George Forbes Memorial Building. Another son of Richard and Sally, London-based George Forbes, was instrumental in bringing the artefacts to the fore again.
Chancellor Tom Lambie told the gathering that the presence of the Forbes relics, the gift of the painting by Maurie Angelo, and the brand new library facilities meant that “we are celebrating Lincoln University’s past, present and future.”
He said the library refurbishments represented an investment by the University in its future.
He praised all concerned for turning a vision into a reality.
“If you don’t keep investing in the future you don’t have a future,” he said.