Info centre team united in purpose

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 533, 26 April 1994, Page 3

Info centre team united in purpose

Katie Bramwell is the newest face at the Ruapehu Information Centre and heads the team dedicated to the promotion of the Ruapehu District. Hailing from Gisborne, Katie, 22, began work at the information centre on Monday, taking over from former Supervising Information Officer Rose Pepere. Highly qualified with a Bachelor of Parks and Recreation Management plus papers in tourism planning and development, Katie is already liaising closely with the district' s promotions officer Bnice Rollinson, in order to promote the Ruapehu region as a total tourism package. Plans include giving the information centre in Clyde Street, Ohakune, a 'face lift.' Listing her interests as tennis, swimming and water skiing, Katie says she is willing to "try anything", including learning to ski, if her busy work schedule allows. As a student she spent 12 months in Thailand on an American Field Scholaship. The first three months she said, were the most difficult, coping with a vastly different culture and the language barrier.

Past work experience includes a three month stint organising horse-treks for Pakiri Beach Trail Rides, north of Auckland. Information Officer Lynne McDonald (41) joined the Ruapehu Information Centre team six months earlier. Originally from Wanganui, Lynne and husband Bill, manager of Ohakune' s Powderkeg Inn, moved to the region 10 months ago. The couple have three grown daughters. Lynne' s considerable office and administrative skills, combined with the extensive local knowledge of longterm Information Officer Pat Goldfinch, and the addition of Supervisor Katie Bramwell makes for a cohesive team devoted to promoting the Ruapehu region. The team act as booking agents for "nearly everything", including local accommodation, land and sea transportation nationally, and alternative activities in the region. The Ruapehu Information Centre is currently open 40 hours a week but will operate extended hours during the winter season.