Historical mortuary returned to its original resting place

On the picture perfect winter's moving day it took more than just a few tree branches being lopped and a couple of buildings being navigated around, for the historical mortuary at Queen Mary Hospital grounds in Hanmer Springs to be placed back at its original site.The clock was wound back earlier this month when this old yet significant building was moved back to the north end of the grounds, where it was originally situated when built in 1901.In the mid 1950's it was then moved to the south end of the grounds, where it was more secluded.Rosemary Ensor is the historian at Hanmer Springs library and has been very instrumental in its move."I am thrilled to bits that it has been moved, almost back perfectly from where it started."Just before it was hoisted onto the truck and shifted, Hanmer Springs community Kamatua Amokura Mullan and Rev Natasha Glenderran presented a blessing, with an added touch of a thermos for tea, sandwiches and scones."It just made it so special."Rosemary said there is quite a lot of work to be done to get the mortuary back to its former glory, such as fixing the leaking sky lights.There has already been an offer of help from local volunteer group Menz Shed."A group of local people will get cracking, and we will make a start on it."The future of the mortuary is still up for discussion, but Rosemary is certain it will always be a place of interest."It's great to see this lovely old building back where it began."