The Trust said a fond farewell to departing Trustees – Stuart Wright-Stow, Brian Patrick and Debbie Tikao, and formally welcomed new Trustees – Richard Suggate, Bryan Storey, Maureen McCloy and Paul McNoe with a lunch at Hilltop Hotel.
Little River entrepreneur Stuart Wright-Stow retires after serving the Trust for 7 years as one of its founding Trustees. Stuart was a great friend of Rod Donald and brought his entrepreneurial visions to the Trust.
Trustees took the opportunity to walk part of Te Ara Pātaka with half the party using Pettigrews Track and the other walking up Montgomery Reserve to meet at a beautiful remnant totara forest on the flank of Rocky Peak below the communication towers. The Trust is in the process of purchasing the land containing Rocky Peak, the tower and the forest and it will soon be added to Montgomery Reserve. Trust contractor Steffan Kraberger has made a lovely new track through the forest.
Trustee Cynthia Roberts takes delight in one of the giant trees on the new track through the remnant forest
Trustee Bob Webster leads the party coming down from Montgomery Reserve
The group on Rocky Peak
Carol Jensen on Rocky Peak
Trustee Richard Suggate in the remnant forest