Treasure

Treasure

ˈtrɛʒə

verb

verb: treasure; 3rd person present: treasures; past tense: treasured; past participle:treasured; gerund or present participle: treasuring

1. 1. keep carefully (a valuable or valued item).

“my mother gave me the ring and I’ll treasure it always”

synonyms:

cherish, hold dear, place great value on, prize, set great store by,value greatly, esteem; adore, dote on, love dearly, be devoted to,idolize, worship, think very highly of, appreciate greatly; preserve,keep safe “I treasure the photographs I took of Jack”

• value highly.

“the island is treasured by walkers and conservationists”

Definition is from Google.com

I like the way this word sounds, the way it rolls off the tongue and the love and sense of value it engenders when used as a verb. Without thinking, the first things that jump to mind are family, friends and travel.

Many of my posts focus on these treasured people and journeys, in fact, I have set up a regular weekly challenge called The Travel Trinkets and Memories Challenge. As I write about my “trinkets” I am often struck by the fact that they are so much more than that, they are my treasures, whether they are a lovely wee piece of touristy tack or a quality item. Each item is imbued with an almost magical property which can transport me back to places I have been, people I met, smells, sounds and sights. I treasure these memories.

Today I wanted to treat Treasure as a one word prompt for the Writing 101 course so I sat quietly, closed my eyes and let the images flow freely as I said “treasure” to myself. Let me lead you through my slightly twisty path of thought which led me to sharing these photos with you.

First image in my head, pirates! I am on the Disneyland ride, wearing an eye patch of course, “The Pirates of the Caribbean”. Pirate gold and loot is piled high, drunken sailors are singing “Ho Ho Ho and a bottle of rum” while chasing a wench. Cities are burning and a battle with cannon balls is raging.

I skip to a dark dank cave. I hear a croaky whisper “Where are you my precious” Gollum is searching for his ring. I have arrived in Middle Earth. This brings in to a more realistic mode as Middle Earth is home.

Not I am not a Hobbit! But New Zealand has become synonymous with Middle Earth since the filming of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy and the Hobbit.

Wellington, NZ’s Capital city is home to Weta Workshop the people responsible for all those wonderful special effects in the LOR movies. When you arrive at Wellington’ airport there is a huge sign “Welcome to Middle Earth”. Gollum looms over you in the Food Hall and Gandalf swoops down on a massive eagle.

Wellington is also home to Te Papa, The Museum of New Zealand, It’s catch phrase is “our  place” and is a place where our history and treasures are kept safe, preserved and cherished.

I flew up to Wellington for the day recently especially to see a stunning and very poignant exhibition on the Great War and the Kiwis who served in Gallipoli and fought in the Battle of Chunuk Bair.  It is the story of the ANZACs, the Australian, New Zealand Army Corp, who served our country. This amazing exhibition was put together in conjunction with Weta Workshop. Weta made 5 massive models of 8 of our veterans. These giant size people were so life-like, down to the pores on their skin, hairs on their arms, their tears and sweat, it was fascinating.

The exhibition was exceptional. You first entered to a  model of Lieutenant Spencer Westmacott.  It is in such perfect proportion it maybe hard for you to get an impression of the scale but check out the people standing next to it. You could circle the model and view it from every aspect. Many people came just to see work of Weta Workshop.

Lieutenant Spencer Westmacott

Each model was in a darkened room with amazing lighting and great acoustics. You could sit and contemplate as you heard a dialogue read from the veteran’s diary. It was as he was talking. The accounts were honest, full of patriotism for some and utter despair and disillusionment in others  brutal at times and always moving . They bought tears to my eyes and raised goosebumps. You left each model to come into a exhibition room with well presented information about the Galipoli campaign which was easy to follow an interactive in places. There was more detailed about the models life before during and after the war if they were lucky enough to have made it through.

Lieutenant Colonel Percival Fenwick – Doctor

Total to date: 5,000 causalities, about 3 men per yard of ground gained. An order came out naming this bay Anzac Bay …. Perhaps one day it will be known as Bloody Beach Bay. God knows we have paid heavily for it.

Lieutenant Colonel Fenwick

A more Hellish Sunday one could not concieve

Lieutenant Colonel Fenwick

Although I can’t claim to understand the motivation that led these young mean to sacrifice life and limb for god and the motherland and I am not a supporter of war I do honour these men and women and respect them for their commitment and sacrifice.

Private Jack Dunn – A very sad story R.I.P

This wonderful exhibition is the definition of the verb to treasure. To use the synonyms from the opening definition, it cherishes and holds dear the memory of those who have served their country. It places great value on on our history. It prizes the bravery of our young service people , sets great store by the true stories as told by those who suffered and were involved, it values greatly and holds in high esteem the sacrifice those on both sides made. It preserves and keep safe  the memories and stories of the fallen and those who fought.

Staff Nurse Lottie Le Gallais – Devastated at learning of her brothers death some 4 months after he fell in Gallipoli where she was also serving

Private Colin Warden, Corporal Friday Hawkins and Private Rikihana Carkeek

There are valuable lessons to be learnt from history. For many, it is may this never happen again. In New Zealand we honour our fallen servicemen and women on ANZAC day. Wreathes of poppies are laid, a lone bugler plays the Last Post at a dawn parade.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

A verse from From For The Fallen by Robert Laurence Binyon

The War Memorials  read “Lest we forget”

Sergeant Cecil Malthus

Yoroshiku Onegai shimasu

Leanne