New Raetihi Camp Manager

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 22, 28 October 1986, Page 2

New Raetihi Camp Manager

New managers of the Raetihi Borough camping grounds, Bob and Mary Grave, have big plans to upgrade the facilities and make the grounds more competitive with other accommodation around the area. Bob and Mary and their two children Bridget, 8, and Linda, 4, have moved from Katikati, north of Tauranga, where Bob managed kiwifruit orchards. He is a keen trout fisherman and "stumbled" across the camping grounds on a recent visit to the area. lt took six months for the Graves to obtain the lease, but they now have the facilities on a 2l-year lease with right of renewal. Bob and Mary are aware of the hard work ahead of

them. "I managed kiwifruit orchards for 1 1 years and handled the gardens and general cleaning up. Tui used to hard work," said Bob. They are eager to promote Raetihi and the Waimarino and plan to utilise the full three acres of land of the . camping grounds which is operating on just 50 percent of the property at present. Some of their ideas include looking at the possi - bility of purchasing caravans to rent on-site for semipermanent guests, major upgrading of e-xisting ablution facilities as well as the installation of another shower complex, wood burners for heating water and levelling land for more sites. Another of their ideas is to set up an enclosed play area so that children staying at the camp don't have to cross the main highway to reach the playground. The basics of the play area

they have alreadv provided with their own trampoline, play house and swing. Resident caretaker for the last three years Rose Williams will be semi-retiring when she leaves the caretaker's cottage this month, but only until February when the market gardens get underway in the Waimarino. Visitors to the camping grounds will remember the well-kept gardens and borders surrounding the driveway which were lovinglv nurtured by Rose. The Graves were grateful for the warm reception they received when they moved to the area and their two children have alreadv settled intothecommunity. Bridget is in standard 2 at Raetihi School and Linda at the local playcentre. The Waimarino wishes the Grave family the best of luck with their latest venture.