At Stephanie Blackies funeral last year I said we would change this town this coming year and we have. Her complaint was always: "What are we going to do with all these trees and shrubs in the nursery?"
"Well Stephanie most are in the ground now, all 6 and a half thousand of them planted this year".
Two thousand along the Steele Way and Poets Track, 800 on Pope Terrace, 1500 in and around the Swale (south of Saffron Estate), 10 blocks of 250 plantings each on the Oaklands green belt and 1500 on Cook Street above the Soldiers track.
In March we formed a Tuesday planting team, a consistent group of around 10 volunteers have been meeting, planting doing odd jobs and chatting, this group has made the world of difference to the amount of work we have achieved this year.
The Tree Trust have always had a strong interest in the Education of our youth. This was reinforced this year with Cambridge East Primary school pupils, all 350 of them planting most of the groups of trees/shrubs along the Oaklands Greenbelt, and all the year 9 Cambridge High school students. 270 students planting around Saffron Estate. A number of other Primary schools have also been recipients of our Nursery stock.
We were the proud recipients of the Trust Power award "Volunteer group of Waipa District", whilst this has a small cash grant the recognition of our efforts by the community is important.
The loop track we have called the "Steel Way" which is below Fletcher place and overlooks the Waikato river, is now complete. We have built this track at our own expense. Timber, wire and metal were the main costs. This track now loops below the main track and has spectacular views of the Waikato River.
As well as our own team, we have had around 100 Corrections Department Teams doing their community work. These teams yet again have been supervised by us and work found for them. Our thanks go to the Corrections Department for continuing to support Cambridge. Over 3,500 man hours have been supplied by them.
This year we have spent a considerable amount of our reserve funding. This was done to continue the impetus developed by a strong band of volunteers. We will have to curb this spending if we wish to look ahead to other projects.
Our major contributors this year were: the Waipa District Council, $4000 and Trust Waikato, $2500. To the other 120 members I say a heart felt thanks for your financial and physical contribution. My special thanks also goes to Hogan's Accountants for their ongoing review of our accounts.
I would like to thank my fellow Trustees and all of my committee for their help.
Brian MAYO
Chairman
Monday, 29 October 2007
