TDPDA NEWSLETTER

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 286, 9 May 1989, Page 10 (Supplement)

TDPDA NEWSLETTER

April has been a very busy month, settling into the job and just generally learning what there is to do. I am slowly getting through the mountain of reading material Mergie Snow left me, thanks Mergie! Jenny Cosford is now working at the Information Offlce from 10am till lpm, five days a week. She will be answering inquiries both personally and through the post. Some of you may have seen Jenny's photo in the local papers recently through her active involvement with the "Save our Hospital" campaign.

I will leave Jenny to write the more personal details about herself, suffice to say she is a very nice lady. In my last report, I was heading off to the North Island Regional meeting for T.I.F (Tourist Industry Federation) as well as Travel Trade Show in Wellington. Travel Trade was exciting, colourful, inspirational and very very tiring. The regional stands were by far the best and I feel that the "Ruapehu Stand" was tops - full credit to the Waiouru Army Museum for doing

such an excellent job. The people of Wellington on stepping through the door were bombarded with giveaways ie posters, brochures, prizes, food and wine. Our prize for a weekend away for two to the Ruapehu Region was well supported by over 1,500 people at the show and a large number of radio listeners. The winners were Kit King of Upper Hutt and Julia Caldow of Khandallah. They are both looking forward to their visit. Whether or not we have changed peoples minds, and perhaps en-

couraged them to drive north via Ohakune, National Park and Taumarunui, only time will tell. Also this month we ' have had a visit by Bronwen Golder of N.Z Heritage Trust. Bronwen has developed a concept now known as "Heritage Trails" of which there are three foundation members - Coromandel, Gisborne and Taranaki. Taranaki's Heritage Trail is SH.43 which goes from Stratford through Whangamomona to Taumarunui. For those of you who don't know of this route it is one of the more scenic and unspoilt drives especially the Tangarakau Gorge. Along with Bruce Dobson "County Engineer" and Dot Hight T.D.RD.A executive, we met Bronwen at Morgan's grave in the Tangarakau Gorge. She had been escorted this far by David Walter, the Mayor of Straford, as well as the major driving force behind the Heritage Trail for Taranaki Bruce Dobson had identified 19 sites on the Taumarunui side alone but we were unable to visit all sites. However Bronwen, having visited the sites, has since seen the need to have colour coded directional arrows on the route signs. One colour for the main trail, one for side trails and possibly a third for walking trails. The following day Bronwen outlined the route and site signs she has proposed and it is \ hoped that the National Roads Board will look upon these favourably. The route sings will be coloured in the Heritage colours which will be easily identifiable. The site sign bollards , will have information and maybe photos and maps that will describe the history of the site. We are fortunate indeed to be linked on to this trail. On Sunday 4th June - Queen's Birthday Weekend - the steam train KA945 will be doing her 50th Birthday run to Taumarunui. A birthday celebration is being planned and I'm sure that there will be a lot of interest. Tickets for the run Ohakune to Taumatanui return in single one-way bus fare inclusive will be available ^soon. On Friday 12th May Waiouru Army Museum staff will be setting up our regional stand at the Logan Campbell Centre in Auckland for the annual Snow Show. Our stand is alongside Turoa Skifield and theOhakune moteliers. So if you are on holiday in Auckland for that weekend come along to the Showgrounds. For those of you passing through Taumarunui,

you may like to know where the snail farm is. Keep an eye open for the 'Black Netting' 5 km south of Taumarunui opposite the Mananui Primary School. Coral Simpkins tells me they're hibernating at the moment. Those of you who are keen flshermen, don't forget we have licences for satle for the Taupo and Rotorua Region. We are also booking agents for accommodation, jet boating, rafting and canoeing. If you're passing we are centrally located in Taumarunui on the main street, open 10am - 4pm seven days a week.