Martin McGahan reports on the recent Motutapu work Party;Rotary Newmarket has a twenty-eight year history with MOEC. Over this time members, family and friends have contributed 1000’s of hours to projects at the camp. And the club has provided tens of thousands of dollars to infrastructure and resources at the camp.
What does the camp do? Go to: www.motutapucamp.org.nz and find out.
This past weekend, 15/16 September, 13 members, family and friends continued the story of our association.
Our projects over the weekend included:
- Constructing 3 flag pole stands
- Lining two storage containers with ply sheeting. (Containers previously supplied with funding from Chenery Memorial Trust and club members input)
- Rebuilding landing pad and access platform at assault course obstacle
- Re-barking assault course landing pad
- Constructing new timber stair
We have exclusive access to the lodge for the weekend and self-cater. This weekend we started with a group of thirteen, reducing to twelve after John Hawkeye Hawke had to depart for coastguard duties.
Work tasks were allocated and everyone just “got on with it”.
Domestic duties were shared over the weekend and as usual, the social element was a highlight.
We even got to see the “Test”, thanks to Michelle and her “techy” assistants.
The camp hosted its first school group in 17 months the previous week, post cyclone Debbie at Easter 2016.
This storm caused widespread damage to buildings, services and infrastructure, and the camp is only now ready to resume normal activities. The costs have run into the millions to remediate the camp, and our members have contributed their labour to some essential re-build activities over the last two seasons.
As usual Duncan and Lindsay provided all the planning and equipment for our team to carry out their tasks. And John Meadowcroft lead and corralled us all in his usual determined and welcome style.
Motutapu is of course, now predator free. And this was so evident with bird life all round us: quail, pukeko, tui, kereru in abundance. The island now is home to some 26 takahe (some of which wander about the camp we are told) and 60 plus little brown kiwi.
This is a fantastic venue right on our doorstep and if you haven’t been there yet, then plan on being part of the team next time. You won’t regret it!
