Fri 20 Apr 2012 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
The entire New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt is to be handed over the national museum Te Papa, to be preserved as a taonga for future generations. Guardian of the Quilts Michael Bancroft is delighted the unique part of the nation’s gay history is to find a special home at the Wellington museum, where he hopes far more people will have access to its beauty and the memories it holds for so many. For some years discussions have been held with various parties as to the best manner of preserving the quilt, which is made up of 16 quilt panels, for future generations who might hopefully not have to endure the effects of such pandemic. Bancroft was delighted when Te Papa said it would be an honour and privilege to house the treasures. “This was the best and most uplifting news I have had for a number of years. When I think of all the lovers, friends and family members and various convenors and committee members who have put so much time, love and commitment into the making of these Quilts that they might otherwise have been lost to the future.” The first panel was created in 1988 in memory of Wellington man Peter Cuthbert by his partner, the late Daniel Fielding, and the couple's family and friends. It now includes the names and lives of some 140 New Zealanders, mostly gay men, who have succumbed to HIV and AIDS related illnesses. In the early 1990s when deaths were so frequent Bancroft recalls that “not only was I conducting a funeral every couple of weeks but (we) seemed to go from one funeral to the next. It was not uncommon to hear ‘I wonder if I’ll be next’ in those days.” During the last 21 years the Quilt has journeyed from Bluff to Cape Reinga and been ceremonially unfolded, displayed and viewed by thousands; on marae, in churches and halls, in schools, in Parliament and many public events. Bancroft says the Quilt has "sadly" been in storage in Auckland for much of the past decade, due to limited funding and its sheer total size. On Sunday 29th April the Quilt will be handed over to representatives of Te Papa during a special public ceremony in St Matthew in the City Church, Hobson St, at 2pm. Bancroft says over the years the church has been the place where many AIDS-related funerals have taken place, where the AIDS Candlelight Memorial has been held and many of the Quilt pieces were initially handed over.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Friday, 20th April 2012 - 1:22pm