Guest speakers
Bob Mankelow’s topic was on his long relationship with the Ngatuhoa Lodge Outdoor Education Centre. The centre’s by-line is ‘Providing outdoor experiences with the young and young at heart.’
Bill Kennedy started the centre in 1967 when it only had 32 bunks. Now they host 3000 kids per annum – mostly intermediate school age. The centre resides in the 37,000 hectares Kaimais forest park which is a living museum of natural and human history.
Bob’s presentation was notable for its stunning photographic images which epitomise the natural beauty of the New Zealand bush. Near the lodge are several exceptional waterfalls especially Te Rere I Oturu (The place where Turu took flight.)
The birdlife in the area is diverse and includes fantail, New Zealand robin, Whio (Blue Duck), kiwi and kereru amongst others. The are 427 species of plant and one of Bob’s jobs in the past was to find Maori names for them.
The centre also has its own small hydro-electricity generating system which heats water. Bob shared the centre’s wish list and urged members to come and help-out with some of the many maintenance and building projects.
Bob’s view is that people don’t get lost in the bush, they just become, ‘geographically embarrassed.’
Ngatuhoa Lodge Outdoor Education Centre is on Omanawa Rd, with 9km of metaled road after the gate.