Wharf and Waterfront News
Tim Grant Memorial Scholarship
Prior to his death, Tim had tabled an agenda item for the next meeting - that the Wharf Trust should sponsor a local student to go on a Youth Development Voyage on the R. Tucker Thompson. He wanted it to be an opportunity to give a young person who was already interested in sailing the chance to grow their experience, and potentially as he did, think about a career at sea. To honour his memory, this proposal was accepted at the next meeting. In terms of choosing some that would fit Tim’s criteria, it was decided to speak with the organisers of the RŪNĀ sailing programme which was run through the Russell Boating Club. They put forward Philip Hunter. A berth became available on 2nd November and Philip set sail. The voyage, with 11 other trainees, took him from Ōpua, up to the Cavalli Islands and the Whangaroa Harbour, then back to the Bay of Islands. Some of [...]
High adventures on the high seas
High adventures on the high seas ** Unfortunately since writing this post, the pontoon started sinking - it was probably damaged on its adventure. We have secured a new pontoon, and Johnson Bros have again generously offered to transfer the fixtures across. However, they have a heavy workload, which involves their efforts tackling the exotic caulerpa outbreak, so they will do it when they have capacity.** On 17 September, the pontoon by the wharf decided it needed an adventure! Off it went, under the wharf and went for a look see what happening at the Duke. Thanks to all those people who spotted it and sounded the alarm. Bruce went down to make it secure, tying it to a nearby Pohutukawa, and noticed its ladder was damaged from a previous grounding. Rather than just tie it back again, Bruce made plans for repairs to the ladder, to extend it below the waterline, as well as get a diver [...]
New Wharf Trust Trustees
The Kororāreka Russell Community Kaitiaki Wharf Trust, or Wharf Trust for short has just completed a refresh and selected a new board of Trustees. The Trust was established in 2019 and the Trust Deed specified that the inaugural Trustees had to step down, and new Trustees appointed. Trustees could choose to reapply, but the places had to be advertised to the local community for them to get involved. There were a number of applications with a wide range of skills, which was great. An interview and selection panel was established and candidates were asked a range of questions including why they were interested and what skills they could bring. Bruce Mitchinson has been selected as Chair, Mike Stephens has been appointed Treasurer and Jane Hindle has taken over the Secretary role. Deb Rewiri and Lance Sigley remain on the Trust providing continuity and Scott Colebrook has also been appointed to the Board. The new Board would like to express [...]
Our Wharf Trust – five years on!
It was a strange situation to say the least, when the Kororāreka Russell Community Kaitiaki Wharf Trust was established! But five years on, things have settled down and the Trust has quietly been going about its business. The original Russell Wharf and Waterfront Trust was established to address an urgent need to repair the boat ramp and wharf, both much neglected. The FNDC didn’t seem interested in Russell so some community-minded individuals bandied together created a Trust. They managed to raise enough money to repair the boat ramp and make a start on the Wharf – we owe them a debt of gratitude for their efforts. A few years later, as part of a Provincial Growth Fund Application, Council proposed to transfer the Russell Wharf over to Far North Holdings. After a period of community engagement, Far North Holdings agreed that they would work in a co-governance arrangement with the community to upgrade the wharf. For this to happen, [...]
Pop-up Recycling Centre
**UPDATE: Details 2024-25 hours available here** We were delighted to support a community initiative for a Pop-up Recycling Centre on the Wharf this summer, putting the funds earned from ramp fees and berth sales to good use. The Russell community has for a long time been frustrated at black trash sacks being dumped on the wharf, particularly from boaties, because there are very limited options for them to dispose of their rubbish, let alone for any recycling. Local community group Resilient Russell approached us with a plan to set up a manned pop-up rubbish and recycling centre for three weeks this summer to keep the wharf and waterfront tidy. Although it was a "user pays" service, the cost of providing the manned service was nowhere near enough to cover the wages cost for the 3-week period, so it was a team effort to make it all happen. Northland Waste provided the bins free of charge, while the Russell Wharf [...]
Santa Comes early for some lucky winners
Riki and the awesome team at the Duke have just sold the last raffle ticket – 250 of them for $100 each in a monster fundraising effort towards the Waharoa and Wero carvings for the Russell Wharf. Sincere thanks from all the Trustees and the Community for their initiative and for helping the Trust to end the year on a high note. Merry Christmas to everyone in the Russell Community and we look forward to a busy and positive 2021.
