Newspaper Article 1999 – Fascination with history led to Queen’s Medal

Fascination with history led to Queen’s Medal

When Margaret Annie (Peggy) Higgins received word she was being recognised in the New Year honours list her mind was on mundane things, the washing, and not on the region’s history.

But Mrs Higgins, one of Hawke’s Bay’s foremost historians, says the Queen’s Service Medal she received in the honour’s list was as much for the work of her husband Phil as her own.

While she had always been interested in history, being among a group of volunteers researching information for the Hawke’s Bay provincial centenary in 1958 triggered a keen, almost obsessive interest in the people, places and happening of the area.

She began her research in the early 1950s and by 1956 she and her husband had become members of the Hawke’s Bay and East Coast Museum. She was convenor of the museum’s historical affairs committee for 24 years from 1964 and was instrumental in setting up the Collectors’ Group in 1969, serving as its inaugural chairperson.

For many years she ran Walks With History, rambles through old Napier during which she explained events and places of significance.

Because of her work Mrs Higgins was made a life member of the Hawke’s Bay Art Gallery and Museum in 1983.

Her bent for history led to her becoming an active member of the Historic Places Trust for more than 20 years. She was made a life member in 1991 and also received a Certificate of Meritorious Service.

Mr Higgins served three terms on the Napier City Council and was elected deputy Mayor in 1974.

The city recognised her contribution in 1980 when she received a Citizens’ Civic Award.

She was a foundation member of the Hawke’s Bay Community College and served for many years on the Napier High Schools Board, which administered the city’s five secondary schools, the Napier Boys’ High School farm and hostels at both Napier Boys’ and Girls’ High schools. She was also involved in St John’s Cathedral.

Mrs Higgins said her lifetime interest in history has taught her to be precise and become a stickler for cross-checking facts and dates.

Her husband was a member of the Hawke’s Bay Art Gallery and Museum, several of the city’s musical groups and chairman of the Hawke’s Bay Regional Committee of the Historic Places Trust.

Photo caption – PEGGY HIGGINS in the Hawke’s Bay Museum.

HB TODAY PICTURE: JOHN COWPLAND