Despite a major storm that swept over the North Island, the delegates who attended the 34th Annual Conference in Napier, over the weekend of July 26/27 had a great time.
Delegates gathered on the Friday night for a social hour before dinner and then, after dinner, a talk on DU Canada, by special guest Barbara Hanbidge. It was a great introductory evening, despite concerning reports of the approaching storm.
Saturday morning dawned clear and the formalities of the AGM were completed reasonably promptly with good reports on the major wetland projects sponsored by DUNZ, the Pateke Recovery program and a review of membership numbers and finances. The last two were both considered good but, like the old school report, “could do better”. A special vote of thanks to our major sponsor, Banrock Station Wines, was passed by acclamation.
It was then into buses for the field trip to the Cape Kidnappers & Ocean Beach Wildlife Preserve. “Just a fantastic project” was a common descriptive as delegates viewed the kilometres of predator proof fencing that secures the Cape. The delegates heard first hand from the visionaries and custodians of the project, both on the wind and rain swept cliff top overlooking Ocean Beach and later, in the distinctly more comfortable woolshed. There, delegates enjoyed warm food, our main sponsor’s great wine and more socialising.
Before arriving at the woolshed though, a quick detour was made to the Lake Lopez Wetland. “Where would Wetlands be without a drop of water” said DU President Ross Cottle as he toured the huge wetland in the rain. The wetland has recently planted clusters of native and exotic vegetation, that form a wonderful surround to the wetland and provide improving habitat for the already numerous ducks, swans and other resident waterfowl.
It was then back to the hotels to warm up before the main dinner and fundraising auction attended by over 100 delegates. A great evening, with awards, more fine food and wine and an entertaining auction which raised over $9,000 for wetlands!
On Sunday morning Barbara took most delegates through the new education programmes run by DU Canada designed to start young kids on the journey to becoming the conservators of tomorrow. It was a great presentation, which left delegates with lots of ideas and a willingness to expand DU NZ’s work in this area.
More details and photos will be in the next Flight – look out for it! Also, make a note in your diary now for the 35th Annual Conference which will be held in the Manawatu, probably also on the last weekend in July – a sunny one for sure!
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