Some of the region’s stories are stepping out of storage and into the spotlight. The Guardian Motueka and Golden Bay is working with the Motueka District Museum to showcase items from its extensive collection of locally relevant material, highlighting objects that reflect everyday life across the district.
This month: The Soroptimist Club’s insignia, “The Jewel”
The Soroptimist Club of Motueka was part of Soroptimist International, a worldwide volunteer movement of women dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls. Through fundraising, service projects and community advocacy, Soroptimist clubs support education, health, safety, and opportunities for women to participate fully in civic life.
Formed in 1976 through extension work by the Nelson Club, the Motueka club began with 22 founding members and spent 30 years serving the community through practical action and fundraising. Among its many achievements were helping develop the Sanctuary Pond Gardens in Old Wharf Road, running an annual Spring Garden Trail, initiating the Motueka Toy Library, supporting Riding for the Disabled, raising funds for local charities, and assisting Friendship Hospital.
This ceremonial insignia, held by the Motueka Historical Association, is known as “The Jewel” and was created in 1981 as the president’s insignia for Soroptimist International of Motueka. At the time, Motueka was the only place in New Zealand where hops were commercially grown for local and export beer brewing, thanks to its ideal temperate climate.
To reflect this local identity, the club raised funds among its members and asked Jo Chapman to send a fresh bunch of hops and leaves in a sealed bag by early morning bus to Christchurch. There, design jeweller Noel Wright of Bijou Arts transformed them into the finished piece. The result was a distinctive emblem featuring a gold hop flower on an unpolished silver leaf, suspended on a black ribbon with a nameplate for the president.
This object symbolises both the club’s service to the community and its connection to Motueka’s local heritage.
