Sir Ed.

Sir Ed.

January 14, 2008, 7:58 pm
Filed under: In the News | Tags: Edmund Hillary

I think there has been lots more interest in New Zealand on an international scale this year. Cultural exports have hit the mainstream, sporting teams have taken huge bellyflops on the international stage, and, of course, everyone’s favourite planner has relocated here.

Most recently, the world’s microscope is zoomed in out these little islands as one of humanity’s great adventurers, conservationists and all-round good guys died last week.

Sir Edmund Hillary died last Friday.

Not unlike what has occurred since Oscar Peterson‘s death, but not on the scale of Pierre Trudeau‘s mourning period, memorials and tributes are occurring all across New Zealand. The debate in the press focuses on what would be a fitting tribute for him. Donations have been pouring into the Himalayan Trust, the charity “Sir Ed” helped found to encourage conservation and community development in Sherpa communities in Nepal.  There is also chatter of making July 20 – Sir Ed’s birthday – a national holiday here.  I’d make a big fuss, but July 20th here is mostly July 19th in Ontario so I think the connection is tenuous, at best.  Also, I have never climbed a real mountain.

There will be a state funeral next week here in Auckland.

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