Story: Scandinavians

Programme for Norsewood Centennial banquet, 1972

Programme for Norsewood Centennial banquet, 1972

The axe and the ‘Scandi wagon’ wheel – a distinctive four-spoke wheel that the settlers used on their heavy wooden drays – were chosen as symbols for this banquet programme. The event commemorated the centennial of the founding of Norsewood by Scandinavians. Of the 850 people who crowded into the Dannevirke venue, most spoke with a New Zealand accent, and the only Scandinavian word commonly spoken that night was the Swedish toast ‘Skol’. Other activities during the weekend included a parade of floats and bullock wagons, and the ceremonial burning of a Norse galley named Mjolner (Thor’s hammer).

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How to cite this page:

Carl Walrond, 'Scandinavians - Culture', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/ephemera/140/programme-for-norsewood-centennial-banquet-1972 (accessed 25 April 2024)

Story by Carl Walrond, published 8 Feb 2005, updated 1 Mar 2015