New Patron For Sanctuary Trust

The Trustees of the Brook Waimarama Sanctuary Trust are pleased to announce that the Hon Philip Woollaston has agreed to be the Trust¹s patron. They consider Philip¹s appointment as significant for the project following the achievement of its first milestone, the completion of its entrance building.

³We are delighted that Philip has agreed to take on this role as we embark on the next stage of our fund-raising,² commented Dave Butler, Trust Chair. ³As a former Minister of Conservation and Mayor of Nelson he has a wealth of experience second to none. At a personal level, Philip launched my first book on the kakapo in his time as Minister and I look forward to working with him again to achieve our shared vision of a thriving wildlife sanctuary for the region.²

Philip Woollaston was MP for Nelson from 1981 to 1990, Minister of Conservation and Local Government in the 4th Labour government, Policy Advisor to the UN Environment programme 1990 to 1992 and Mayor of Nelson from 1992 to 1998.

Mr Woollaston said he was delighted to have been asked to serve as Patron of the Brook-Waimarama Trust: ³Not only is the idea of establishing an Œinland island¹ wildlife sanctuary right on Nelson¹s doorstep a fantastic one, but the trust members have shown that they have the ability and the tenacity to make it happen.²

³The trust has achieved a great deal in the last two years, culminating in the opening of its Visitor Centre last month. The next task is to raise funds for a predator-proof fence around the sanctuary. When that is achieved our community will not only have made a major contribution to wildlife preservation, Nelson will also have an educational and tourism asset of incalculable value. It is a privilege to be associated with such a worth-while project,² he said.

Ends

© Scoop Media