Westland Industrial Heritage Park volunteers making a difference
Every year, the Westland Industrial Heritage Park (WIHP) donates the profits from its operation on the day nearest to Daffodil Day to the Cancer Society. We recently presented a $1,000 donation to the Cancer Society. This substantial donation was made possible by a particularly successful day followed by a night run on the Mud Bush Railway and sausage sizzle to celebrate the beginning of daylight saving. The railway was closed to the public for track maintenance for much of October and re-opened in time for a night run on 31 October for Halloween. The track and station were decorated by the Hokitika Community Trust with Spiders and webs, all sorts of Ghost and Ghouls and the Grim Reaper. The weather was kind, and the crowds turned out in their hundreds – a very successful evening!
In late October the WIHP received a visit from about 20 big trucks that were part of a South Island Trucker’s Rally. The rally participants really enjoyed our displays of trucks and big machines.
Some of the Park’s trucks and tractors have been moved into the shed for the new Tracks and Wheels display.
Tidying up and dealing with surface drainage is in progress around the new Maritime Centre. In the meantime, the Livery crew await the removal of the boats to finalise some of their displays. The Lean-to on the eastern end of the Livery has been completed.
The new surfacing and drainage improvements have worked very well with no damage following some of the wet spells with very heavy falls of rain.
Call for volunteers
WIHP has become very big operation and planning for existing and new projects is an ongoing and growing task carried out by our fairly small number of volunteers. In addition, we are an Incorporated Society and with a change in legislation we must comply with the new 2022 Incorporated Societies Act. We have until 2026 to bring our Constitution in line with the new Act. We have been working steadily on this and hope to complete it by the end of the year.
So, as usual with this article I include a plea to anyone who may have some spare time, or want a new challenge, to come and join our gang of volunteer helpers. We don’t just need old men who love machines, we need people with any skills or interests but mostly people who would like to be part of a diverse team of volunteers. Get in touch if you would like more information about volunteering:
Email:wihpark@gmail.com
Web site:http://www.westlandheritage.co.nz
Text: Westland Industrial Heritage Park, Image: Photo by Yoksel Zok on Unsplash
