Bricks go online for Sir Edmund Hillary leadership centre

Hundreds of people have already viewed Trade Me listings for a limited number of bricks from the house of Sir Edmund Hillary after they were placed today as a charity auction. They are the first to be released as organisers prepare for the ‘Buy A Hillary Brick Day’ which is a major fundraiser for the rebuilding of the house as a leadership centre at Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate in Otara. This innovative fundraising approach will enable the public of New Zealand to buy a piece of history while at the same time contribute to the funds needed for leadership programmes and rebuilding costs.

The house was removed last month in preparation for its new journey to be relocated at Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate school in Otara, Auckland.

The auction leads into the ‘Buy A Hillary Brick Day’ on Saturday June 12th when the Rotary Club of Auckland East Inc will help the school to sell bricks to the public at the Vellenoweth Green on Tamaki Drive in St Heliers, Auckland. Students from the school will assist and it is hoped that many people will come to the Green and purchase a brick – or two - a limited number of which come from Sir Edmund’s study.

Requests to buy bricks have come from around New Zealand, hence the novel idea to auction some through Trade Me over the next ten days. Some companies have donated commemorative wooden boxes to hold the Trade Me bricks.

Organisers suggest that the bricks are a unique present for employees, family or to be put away for grandchildren in the future. Companies or individuals will also hopefully consider purchasing some to make a special garden or ‘Hillary wall’ in their homes or workplaces as they are a reminder of one of our greatest heroes. All bricks sold will have a certificate of authenticity to verify that they have come from the Sir Edmund’s house.

Further background

The house, built by Sir Edmund and Lady Louise Hillary in 1956, will be rebuilt with only minor modifications as the Sir Edmund Hillary Leadership Centre. Leadership programmes for the school students and the community will be delivered from the centre and in time it is envisaged it will also become a place where students from around New Zealand could visit to learn about his work and achievements.

Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate has three schools on its Otara campus, a primary, middle and senior school. Support for the move of Sir Edmund’s home to the collegiate comes from both the Hillary family and the previous house owner Mr. Terry Jarvis, who gifted it to the collegiate.

Support to date towards the funds needed has already come from a wide variety of companies and community groups including Chapman Tripp, Stevenson Group, Fuji Xerox, Manukau Institute of Technology, Glengarrys, The Sutton Group, Royal Wolf Containers, Palmers and Kings Garden Centres in Remuera, and some anonymous donors have also contributed.

‘Buy A Hillary Brick Day’
Vellenoweth Green
Cnr Tamaki Drive and Goldie Street
St Heliers (look out for the Rotary tents)
Saturday June 12
10 am – 4pm