Media release from the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre
24 March 2009

From trash to treasure - rare Sir Edmund Hillary memorabilia donated to nation

Rare Sir Edmund Hillary memorabilia unwittingly destined for trash has instead been recognised as priceless national treasure.

Film footage and a radio interview recording of Sir Edmund Hillary, both more than 50 years old, have been unearthed and copies now reside in the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre at Aoraki Mount Cook.

Sir Ed training on a tractor at Aoraki Mount Cook before his Antarctica expedition.

The film footage, shot in 1957-8, shows Sir Edmund boarding the Endeavour and leaving Christchurch for his famous Antarctica expedition.

The original 16mm black and white film was brought to light by CB Norwood, an iconic Kiwi farm machinery company which has been operating for more than 60 years and provided the five Ferguson TEA tractors for the Antarctic expedition.

CB Norwood Media Manager Rob Edwards says it was squirreled away in the loft of its Palmerston North-based offices.

“We were clearing out some junk in the loft and they were nearly thrown out. Thankfully someone thought to check and when we watched the footage I realised we were looking at an amazing piece of history, not just for us but for the world.

"We knew we had to share it with everyone and in the process support Sir Ed’s Himalayan Trust, a cause so dear to his heart. That’s why we decided to donate a copy to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre at Mount Cook.

“What better way to keep his story alive and inspire future generations?”

The radio recording is believed to be the only copy of a live ABC Australia radio broadcast with Sir Edmund Hillary in early August 1953, not long after he completed his historic Everest climb. It was discovered amongst books and papers purchased from a deceased estate in Sydney, Australia.

The Centre is also on track to receive an exact copy of one of the Ferguson TEA tractors that went to Antarctica. It is being built in Palmerston North by John Callesen, a well-known vintage car restorer, ex-All Black and brother to Denis Callesen.

Denis Callesen, General Manager of the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, is delighted to be able to add copies of the rare finds to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre’s museum collection.

“We’re so grateful to Rob Edwards and CB Norwood for allowing us to share these fascinating insights into Sir Ed’s life with the world.

“In the radio recording you can hear a young Sir Ed, who’s obviously shy and unused to media attention, talking about his epic climb of Everest.

“The film is in perfect condition so we’re really looking forward to showing our DVD copy next to the Antarctic tractor display in the Hillary Gallery so that we can give it a bit of context.

“In fact, talking of tractors, we’re looking for more TEA Half Track Cleats for the new tractor that’s being built for us – we’ve found one set but need more cleats to make up a set of Full Tracks. If anyone has any lying around they would be very gratefully received!”

The Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre Museum is located adjacent to The Hermitage Hotel in Aoraki Mount Cook Alpine Village, within the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park and World Heritage area. The Village is a spectacular 55km drive from the Lake Pukaki / State Highway 8 turn-off and is four hours from Christchurch (272km) and three hours from Queenstown (330km).

For more information please visit www.hillarycentre.co.nz.

ENDS