Brook Sanctuary & Bowater Honda launch the fund raising drive to Get behind the Fence
Over 150 supporters of the Brook Waimarama Sanctuary gathered at Bowater Honda listen to Brook Waimarama Sanctuary General Manager Hudson Dodd detailing the need for a pest proof fence.
Fundraising for the Brook Waimarama Sanctuary pest-proof fence got a big boost with the official launch of the public phase of the campaign at Bowater Honda on Friday night.
Over 150 invited guests were treated to an evening of information, celebration and motivation to take the initiative and "Get behind the Fence". The evening was also an opportunity to celebrate the new campaign office situated in the top showroom of Bowater Honda's central city dealership. This new central city location will hopefully make the new phase of fundraising a little easier, with a more visible location in the heart of Nelson city, and the chance for those passing by to wander in and see progress of the Sanctuary project and even meet a few of the sanctuary locals, like the 3 very handsome gecko's in the campaign office at the moment!
It was a great turnout and a very successful launch event, with invited guests able to mix and mingle for the first part of the evening and talk through the project with a strong contingent of Brook Sanctuary Waimarama Trust members, Sanctuary staff, local Tasman District and Nelson City Councillors, local MP and Minister of Conservation Hon Dr Nick Smith, and Tasman District Mayor Richard Kempthorne.
Everyone was treated to wonderful music by local musicians Simon Williams and Gabor Tolnay whilst enjoying fine local wines, Bays Breweries beers and some delicious Old Mout Cider, all accompanied by an amazing selection of tasty treats from Blinc Catering. One of the surprise guests of the evening was the brand new into the country, yet to even be released to the media, Honda Accord V6 sedan; fresh from the national Honda Distribution centre in Stoke. It was quite a privilege to be able to show off the car to the invited guests interested in it.
The guests listening to Bowater Honda CEO Chris Bowater welcoming everyone and sharing his excitement for the next phase in the Brook Sanctuary project.
We took some great photos from the event and have set up our own Bowater Honda mini campaign to help as many locals as we can "Get Behind The Fence" with our "Keeping you Posted" deal, but more on that later.
One of the evenings special guests was the Hon Dr Nick Smith, local MP and Minister of Conservation. He gave a rousing speech about the need for continued focus on conservation works, as well as giving a strong endorsement to the Sanctuary.
- Brook Sanctuary Intern Julia Teufel from Germany sorting out the delicious Old Mout Cider for the evening
- Some of the Brook Sanctuary volunteers helping out for the evening
- Bowater Honda's Matt and Nick arrive in style in the brand new Honda Accord V6
- A quick polish up to make sure everything is all shining bright for the night.
- Chef Lincoln Womersley from Blinc Catering plating the elaborate nibbles for the evening in the Bowater Honda workshop!
- Chris Bowater, CEO of Bowater Honda with David Kerr, Business Development Advisor for the Brook Sanctuary.
- Sweet sounds from Simon Williams and Gabor Tolnay.
- David & Kerensa Leadbetter
- The Bowater Honda showroom starting to fill up
- As the evening falls the gathered audience enjoys the hospitality & lovely local Nelson wines.
- Boungnong & Brian Holmes from Harlequin Promotions
- David Verhargen (BMG CFO), Judene Edgar (TDC Councillor) & Nick D'evereux (Bowater Honda)
- Rodney Bowater (BMG CEO) with Richard Griffin & Philip Woollaston
- Royce Greaves (Opus) and Liz Turpie with Dawn Gauthier
- Chef Lincoln Womersley & Yvonne Bowater getting the food ready for serving
- As darkness falls the crowd swells. Over 150 guests got to hear all about the importance of this next phase.
- Stephen Paul & Mark Broad
- Adam Sweeting (Mediaworks) with Tony Jemmett (project manager for Opus - fence builders for the Sanctuary)
- Gillian Wratt, Tasman Mayor Richard Kempthorne & John Hambleton.
- Mel Brooks & Michelle McCree
- The crowd listening to Chris Bowater from Bowater Honda welcoming everyone
- Chris Bowater gives the Brook Sanctuary team a warm round of applause .
- Brook Sanctuary Chair Dave Butler explains the need for support.
- Brook Sanctuary Chair Dave Butler
- A little bit of product placement - the very stylish new Honda Civic Euro!
- Brook Sanctuary Chair Dave Butler
- The crowd listening intently to Dave Butler
- Brook Sanctuary GM Hudson Dodd explaining the need for the fence
- Brook Sanctuary GM Hudson Dodd explaining the need for the fence
- The Hon Dr Nick Smith, our local MP, and Minister for Conservation talking about the need for this project and the benefits it will bring the region.
- The team behind the Brook Sanctuary's Campaign Office in town - Rodney Bowater, Chris Bowater, Dave Butler & Hudson Dodd
- Blinc Catering Chef & Owner Lincoln Womersley with his delicious smoked salmon blinis.
- Pat Hogg (Bowater Honda's Administrator) with her husband Brian
- Bowater Honda technician Marty Stevenson with salesman Nick D'evereux
- Richard Griffin and Hon Dr Nick Smith
- Hon Dr Nick Smith , John McCliskie, Anne Tucker & Devon McLean
- Martin Rodd (Area Manager DOC), Dave Butler (BWST), Rachel Ennor & Fiona McLeod
- Tasman Mayor Richard Kempthorne with his wife Jane & Chris Bowater (CEo Bowater Honda)
- Hon Dr Nick Smith, Judene Edgar (TDC Councillor), and Tasman Mayor Richard Kempthorne with his wife Jane
- Chris and Yvonne Bowater with Hon Dr Nick Smith
- Brook Sanctuary Chairman Dave Butler and Hon Dr Nick Smith
- Matt Enright (Bowater Honda Sales manager) with Julia Teufel (BWST Intern) & Nick D'evereux (Bowater Honda)
- Some of the wondrful Brook Sanctuary Volunteers that did such a great job
"The Brook Waimarama Sanctuary Trust has made admirable progress over the past decade in raising around two-thirds of the $4.7 million it needs to build the 14-kilometre fence around the 700-hectare site. The project is an exciting example of independent community-led conservation, which has an increasingly important role to play in preserving our natural heritage.”
Dr Smith himself sponsored one of the first fence posts at the event. “I hope this round of fundraising, where people can sponsor fence posts, will help get the trust over the line and the fence built,” he said. "The environmental benefit of this sanctuary is that it will enable native birds to again be seen in Nelson gardens that have been absent for decades. It will also provide an economic benefit for our tourism industry by giving visitors an opportunity to see our own special birds in their natural setting rather than in a zoo. This sanctuary reinforces Nelson’s proud heritage in environmental leadership. I will be doing all I can as both Conservation Minister and Nelson’s MP to ensure it achieves its ambitious goals."
Hudson Dodd, BWS Trust General Manager, said the catchy “Save our Babies—Get Behind the Fence” campaign was already generating interest, with families, businesses and community groups among those sponsoring fence posts.
“In the first 3 weeks of the campaign we’d already seen 100 fence posts sponsored, generating $30k in funding toward the fence. People are excited to see the light at the end of the tunnel for fund raising. It goes to show that Nelsonians recognise the great benefits this project will bring to the region,” said Mr Dodd. The BWS Trust is close to the $3m mark, with the goal of raising $4.7m for fence project, which is expected to get underway late this year.
The “Get Behind the Fence!” campaign as it’s dubbed has opened offices in the Bowater Motor Group’s Honda dealership, corner of Rutherford and Hardy Streets. Chris Bowater, CEO of Bowater Honda, said the Bowater Motor Group is delighted to host the Brook Waimarama Sanctuary Trust.
“We think the Brook Sanctuary project is an excellent community initiative, and are glad to be able support their efforts to return nature to the Nelson region. Bowaters is getting behind the fence, and we hope the rest of the community does, too,” said Mr Bowater.
