Statue of Margaret Cruickshank facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Statue of Margaret Cruickshank |
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| Artist | William Trethewey |
| Year | 1923 |
| Type | Carrara marble |
| Location | Waimate, New Zealand |
| 44°44′07″S 171°02′43″E / 44.73526°S 171.04519°E | |
The Statue of Margaret Cruickshank stands in Seddon Square in Waimate, a small town in New Zealand. This special statue honors Margaret Cruickshank, a local doctor who sadly passed away during the 1918 flu pandemic. It was the first monument in New Zealand built to celebrate a woman who was not Queen Victoria.
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Who Was Margaret Cruickshank?
Margaret Cruickshank was a very respected doctor in Waimate. She was known for her dedication to helping people. During the 1918 flu pandemic, a very serious illness that spread worldwide, she worked tirelessly to care for the sick. Her commitment to her patients, even when it put her own health at risk, made her a local hero.
Creating the Statue
The people of Waimate wanted to remember Dr. Cruickshank. They asked William Trethewey, a sculptor who had created many war memorials, to design a statue. Trethewey used photographs of Dr. Cruickshank to help him.
He first made a plaster model of the statue. This model was put in a shop window in Waimate. This allowed local people to see it and share their thoughts. After getting feedback, Trethewey went back to his workshop in Christchurch.
He then carved the final statue from beautiful Italian Carrara marble. This type of marble is famous for its quality. The finished statue stands 3.3 meters (about 11 feet) tall. It shows Dr. Cruickshank wearing academic robes, holding a Bible in her left hand.
Special Words on the Statue
At the bottom of the statue, there are important words carved into the marble. They say: "The Beloved Physician/Faithful unto Death." These words show how much she was loved and how dedicated she was. For many years, people would place a bowl of fresh flowers at the base of the memorial. This was a way to show their continued respect.
The Unveiling Ceremony
The statue was officially revealed on July 25, 1923. This was part of a special service to remember Dr. Cruickshank. Many important people attended the ceremony.
Speakers included Dr. Emily Siedeberg, who was a former classmate of Dr. Cruickshank. She represented the New Zealand Medical Women's Association. Also speaking were John Bitchener, the Member of Parliament for Waitaki, and Thomas Lawson Hart, who was the head of the Waimate County Council.
Miss M. Allen was also there, representing the Otago University Women's Association. The honor of unveiling the statue went to Mrs. Barclay. She was Dr. Cruickshank's landlady for 23 years, showing how close they were.
