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City Events -	Dunedin Heritage Festival "Layers of Gold 2011"
	Dunedin City. 18 - 21 March 2011

Town crier Gretchen Mark-Dear's cry of "Oyez, Oyez, Oyez" rings out around Dunedin's iconic city centre Octagon, much to the delight of the lunch time crowd, to mark the beginning of the four day festival celebrating the city's rich history from the gold rush era of the region that started in 1861.

150 years ago, when Gabriel Read made the first major discovery of gold in Otago, at Gabriel's Gully, he well and truly put Dunedin on the world map. Dunedin became the gateway to the goldfields, and the Otago Goldrush became the catalyst that laid the foundations of Dunedin's rich heritage. 'Layers of Gold' celebrates not just the discovery of gold in 1861, but the rich layers of the city's past that have been woven into the fabric that is our vibrant city today.

Scroll down for photo highlights from the Layers of Gold celebrations....

The celebrations began with the Piping In of the Town Crier at noon on Friday followed by a rousing rendition of New Zealand's national anthem sung by a mass choir on the steps in front of the Robbie Burns statue in the Octagon. Later in the evening the Official Opening Ceremony was held at the Heritage Festival headquarters at the BNZ Bank building on Princes Street where a special award established by the City called the Bluestone Award was presented to Ann Barsby in recognition of her outstanding contribution to enriching Dunedin.

On Saturday a sail boat carrying 'new settlers' to the city berthed at the inner harbour wharf to re-enact the arrival of the early settlers to the city who came in search of gold. Once berthed the settlers were transported by horse and cart to the Octagon where they camped for the day and took part in various activities and games.

Demonstrations and exhibitions featuring current jewellers and artist who work with the precious metal ran throughout the Festival programme over the four days including a tour of the BNZ Bank building's assaying room in the basement vault area.

A mask making workshop at the Otago Museum proved very popular with the younger folk with some amazing creations produced by the end of the day.

Sunday church services helped celebrate the Festival with special services being held in the historic First Church, Knox Church and St Paul's Cathedral churches around the city. Nice fine weather helped draw a good sized crowd out to Macandrew Bay where many activities and various entertainment provided fun for all ages.

Visiting performers from China, The New Purple Forbidden City Orchestra from the China Conservatory of Music in Beijing, entertained a large crowd gathered at Dunedin's Chinese Gardens. Later in the day workshops on the art of gilding by Dunedin Public Art Gallery conservator, Jenny Sherman, were held at the Dunedin Art Gallery followed by a panel discussion titled "GRACE, GREED & GRIEVANCE" that featured guest speakers Professor Andrew Bradstock, John Stenhouse, Professor Kevin Clements and Dunedin City Councillor Kate Wilson who discussed the questions - Did the gold rush bring to an end the Presbyterian's vision of a godly society? Did greed and grog triumph over God? Do we face similar dilemmas today - 150 years on?

A nice soothing gold laced cocktail was just the ticket to cap off a busy day of Festival activities and Dunedin resort Pier 24 provided the ideal backdrop for a lesson in cocktail making featuring liqueurs with real gold in them. Meanwhile at Festival HQ a miniature city made from cardboard boxes was beginning to emerge as young builders and architects of the future worked hard on their creations.

If you would like to know more about the Dunedin Heritage Festival 'Layers of Gold 2011' celebrations check out the official website;

www.dunedinheritagefestival.co.nz

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