19 Jul 2019

Commemorating Sir Ed's 100 birthday

From Nine To Noon, 9:39 am on 19 July 2019
Sir Edmund Hillary.

Photo: Supplied / Canterbury Museum / ‘Sir Ed in the Southern Alps - his name is commemorated in Hillary Hut in Antarctica, the last remaining building of the original Scott Base dating from 1957’

July 19 marks 100 years since Sir Edmund Hillary was born, and the start of a month of activities to celebrate his life and achievements. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will host an event at Parliament next week at which Poet Laureate Selina Tusitala Marsh will perform her new poem about Sir Ed called Hillary's Step, New Zealand Post is issuing commemorative stamps, and a full-length symphony entitled Roar of a Thousand Tigers will be premiere in Christchurch at the end of the month. One of those who knew him well was Tom Scott, a member of the Hillary Centenary Steering Committee which is organising the events. He joins Kathryn to talk about what they've got planned to mark his remarkable life.