Caring Communities

Posted by Frana Cardno on 10 September 2009 | 0 Comments

Tags: Sinbad valley, Red Boat Southern Discoveries, Te Anau airport, Deep Cove Hostel, Community Trust of Southland, Destination Fiordland awards, Hump Ridge Track Trust

As I write, I am thinking all is forgiven for that terrible weather we recently experienced. The sun is shining, the tuis and bellbirds are singing and I feel like rushing out and planting the garden.

However, I once received excellent advice and I have found it to be true - don't plant your garden out too early as you will get caught out. Aim to have it done by Labour Weekend.

Anyway, the Fiordland Conservation Trust launched the Sinbad Sanctuary Project with guest speaker Rod Morris. The Sinbad valley is tucked in beside Mitre Peak and is certainly a special place as it is the last mainland place where kakapo were found. Sadly the area, like so much of our wilderness areas, has been destroyed and neglected by introduced predators.

So the positive move by Skeggs' Red Boat Southern Discoveries, which is donating $35,000 a year to the Trust to help make the valley predator-free is of huge benefit and both organisations need to be praised for their pro-activeness.

Meanwhile I attended the opening of the new building at Deep Cove Hostel, a special place where generations of Southland children have experienced Fiordland. The building is impressive, just like our new airport at Te Anau where on the same day I attended the opening of the new hangar, another step in the development.

I want to also congratulate the Community Trust of Southland for holding its annual meeting out in the community. It was great to see the large attendance and we are so fortunate to have this trust which makes such a difference in the community.

I also led the annual community meeting of the Hump Ridge Track Trust last week, and it is pleasing to note that bookings are up 49% on last year.

Finally I had fun at the Destination Fiordland awards dinner as I enjoy seeing people recognised for hard work and excellence.

We are so lucky in Southland to have communities that care, roll up their sleeves and just get on with it.