150 years, A History Book completed
I thought I would share with my long time readers one of the better design projects I’ve gotten myself involved in.
The recent lull, for the last year and this recent fortnight, was due to my work on a history book covering 150yrs of the Ashburton Fire Brigade in New Zealand.
One of their oldest and most foundational stations. They literally wrote the rules for firefighting in New Zealand.
Working with the editor, we compiled and completed a 320pg book covering this Brigade since 1874 till now, in 2024.
Amidst some big celebrations in the town this week; which I have been invited to attend – I was just notified, this is going into the National Archive of New Zealand and Fire New Zealand (FENZ) archive.
To say I’m a little gobsmacked and additionally really satisfied after two years effort is putting it lightly. And amazing band of men through time and up to today, who volunteered their time, it has been a privilege to tell their tale (also in my free time) and get feedback from their community this week.
This has been a lifetime highlight.
Congratulations! Looks like an interesting story and the design/layout appears to tell it well. I’ve only been around the periphery of visual and print design in my work, but I think I have gotten enough of a taste of it to recognize the amount of thought and work that goes into making something look really good (and that we laypeople might just take for granted). Definitely something to be proud of! Nice work!
Thanks! I’ll post up other sections next, show the variety – realised I put up several samey images haha. (facepalm)
Indeed, settling into a satisfied sensibility for now. There is a big Brigadesmen (only) function at the station coming up where I’ll be talking about working on the book briefly. I’m mostly going to mention the funny things in the past and present I noted as an outsider. No need to talk about contents – they’ll read it all soon enough! 😀