Field Centre to get $20,000 face lift

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 542, 28 June 1994, Page 7

Field Centre to get $20,000 face lift

The Department of Conservation' s Field Centre has received a $20,000 donation from the Tongariro Natural History Society (TNHS) Field Centre staff are delighted and say the money will be used to replace the now dated displays inside the Ohakune Ranger Station. Mr Bob Stothart, PresidentoftheTNHS expressed particular pleasure at being able to assist an Ohakune project. The TNHS was established in 1984 with a memorial fund to the four staff and a helicopter pilot who died on Mt Ruapehu while testi ng rescue equipment on 9 December 1982. Two of the staff had worked at Ohakune. While the society' s aim is to promote a wide knowledge and understanding of New Zealand's natural and human history, it has a particular focus on Tongariro National Park. Their 180 members live all over the North Island but regularly

visit Tongariro. At a recent meeting of the TNHS Mr Paul Green, regional conservator for Tongariro Taupo, commended society members for the valuable work

they ' ve carried out over the past ten years. To date they have assisted with a variety of publications, display production at Whakapapa, interpretive signs at Lake

Rotopounamu and the lahar mounds as well as historic restoration at the old Waihohonu hut. In summer their members assist DoC staff with the summer programme.

The display panels at Ohakune will include details of the town's history, tourism and recreation plus weather and track information. Work on the new displays should start soon.