Refugees' Retreat (Wairarapa) Traditional Geocache
Refugees' Retreat (Wairarapa)
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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A cache with historical interest.
The Polish Children’s Camp
Originally called the Pahiatua Camp, it was set up during the Second World War to intern ‘enemy aliens’, who were moved there from Somes Island in 1943. In 1944 they were sent back to the Island, and the camp became home to 734 Polish children, refugees from war-torn Europe. Most of them became New Zealanders.
In 1971 the former residents of the Polish Children’s Camp felt they could not let the only tangible reminder of their years at the camp to disappear. They formed a Polish Children’s Memorial Committee with the intention of building a Monument and establishing a Rest Area.
In 1975 some came back to Pahiatua to unveil the Memorial sculpture on the site, just south of the town. An interesting Bill Board explains the history of the Site. The land reverted to farm land and all that remained of the original camp was a small grotto shrine on the perimeter of the camp which the Polish Children had built in 1945 for their religious devotions.
The cache is a 1 litre Sistema container. Containing various small items for exchange plus a Log Book and Pen. Those who are "vertically challenged" may have difficulty with the new location.
Please rehide the cache well. (Preferably with the end with the small compartments at the bottom.)
(Additional note from Graeme.N, the cache maintainer:
I feel pleased/privileged to be able to look after this cache, especially as I have a family connection to the Polish children's refugee camp that was here - an aunt & uncle of mine worked in it, teaching the children English. They were much appreciated by the children, so much so that many years later some of the children, and their children, made a special presentation to my aunt & uncle on the occasion of their 60th wedding anniversary.)
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Fgnl ... Oruvaq gur gerr.