1919 - 2008 This tribute video shows some heritage of Sir Edmund Hillary when he was a toddler/school age boy - living in Tuakau, 56km South of Auckland, New Zealand; the family home (when a baby), the Primary School Ed attended when he was a young lad.
Edmund Percival Hillary was born in Pokeno, Auckland New Zealand on the 20th July 1919. He was the middle child of three to parents Gertrude & Percival Hillary of Tuakau, Auckland NZ. His father was allocated some land in Tuakau. After serving in 'The Battle of Gallipoli' in 1915, he then moved his family to Tuakau in 1920, Percival later became editor of the local newspaper named 'The Tuakau District News' before turning a beekeeping hobby into a business in Ellwood Road, Pukekawa. Later the business was to be established at Papakura, Auckland, in which Ed was involved along with his brother Peter. Ed's father was a hardworking, austere & a tough disciplinarian in the Hillary household. Young Edmund was a solitary child, inspired by his mother, a former teacher. He excelled at Tuakau Primary School, but didnt achieve so well at Auckland Grammar, he then went onto Auckland University for two years & studied mathematics and science. Ed commuted daily to Auckland Grammar then by train from Tuakau (new block of shops stands in the same spot - today), it was, however a two hour trip each way, so he used his time to read books of interest. A new train station in Tuakau is currently under construction for locals to commute daily to & from Auckland. It was when Ed was just 16 & on a high school trip to Mount Ruapehu in the Central North Island of New Zealand' that his interest in climbing mountains began & a great pioneering, liberating adventurer he became! He was absolutely fascinated by the snow, he had never seen or touched snow before, being a born & bred Aucklander. He joined the Airforce in 1944. In which during World War II & became a navigator on a Catalina Flying Boat. Ed was badly burned in a accident in Fiji & returned home after just two years of service. He continued his dream of being adventurer, to climb up mountains & plenty of them he achieved in his lifetime all over the planet!
Sir Edmund Hillary returned to Tuakau on many occasions:
1992 - Ed officially opened 'Centennial Park' on the main road named (George Street) in Tuakau.
1992 - Dec. Ed was guest speaker at the 'Tuakau & Early Settlers' association.
2003 - Aug. Ed was guest of Honour at the Tuakau Primary School - in which to mark the 50th Anniversary of his conquering Mount Everest on May 29th 1953 (now a plaque mounted on a large rock remains in his memory 'Conquering Everest in 1953'.
As a Beekeeper of the family business, there was the irony of standing on the highest point on the planet; Mount Everest - with the feeling of a task, not yet completed! Hillary once said, this of his feelings at the top:
"I was very much aware that, we still had to get safely back down the mountain again & that was quite an important factor of this expedition. I really felt the most excitement when we finally got to the bottom of the mountain again & it was all behind us."
"I have modest abilities, I combine these with a good deal of determination & I rather like to succeed." These typically modest words were uttered by the most famous living New Zealander - a sporting & adventurous hero, who scaled heights & reached places where no human being had gone before.
New Zealanders take great pride in this extraordinary, ordinary man, a world-wide symbol of courage, determination, leadership and humanitarian service.
One of our unique individuals of New Zealand, wonderful memories of a Hero!
RIP Sir Ed you deserve your well earned rest now xxx
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Tribute Sir Edmund Hillary Tenzing Norgayby revistaoxigeno4,267 views
2 much i to attended tku primary and college, became a hero within myself 2miiki
nuttykiwi01 2 years ago
This is a great tribute to Hillary. Thank's!
allaboard70 3 years ago