25 Otago University students joined us on 4 May to discuss their findings following a week researching  in Te Anau. They were accompanied by 4 academic staff from Dunedin. They were final year students undertaking a yearlong project looking at what makes a small rural community work. They were investigating four streams of interest:  1 Tourism and its impact, 2 Business Growth, 3 Issues around the use of 1080, 4 The use and perceptions of National Parks. The meeting split into 2 groups to discuss the students interim findings and find areas of agreement/disagreement and new thoughts. Their final work will be presented at the end of the year and we look forward to reading of them then.

Member Keith Cullen inspired us with his intention to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania as part of a fundraiser for the Mental Health Foundation.  Although not snow and ice climbing as common in New Zealand the climb to 5895m brings many challenges as it is well into the rarefied/low oxygen altitude at nearly twice the height of Mount Cook (3724m). Keith is paying his own way and is also challenged to raise at least $4,000 for the charity. Learn more and consider donating at https://kilimanjaro-for-mental-health.everydayhero.com/nz/keith-1#  We all wish Keith the best with both his physical and monetary challenge.

Ken McChlery updated members on the work he had been doing at the Bird Park since our visit there earlier in the year. The ‘Cascade’ in the duck pond is driven by a solar panel and ”looks more like a fountain on a sunny day” according to Ken. It will help to aerate and improve water quality in the pond. Some other work may involve other members in the Takahe enclosure later in the year.