Southland
The pioneering spirit of the Rural Women New Zealand Forestry Scheme (Southland) Inc was celebrated on Saturday.
Part of Rural Women Southland Interprovincial, the group’s extensive contribution to the development of a productive forestry was formally recognised with the presentation of a Community Service Award from Southland District Council and the Northern Community Board.
Southland Mayor Rob Scott said he was honoured to recognise the “incredible dedication” of those involved.
“These ladies work tirelessly as volunteers getting things organised and done, without claiming recognition – all for the benefit of our Southland community,” he said.
“This honour bestowed extends far beyond the current members and is testament to the efforts of many since its inception 78 years ago.”
Approximately 90 hectares of bare land near Dipton was donated by George Hamilton and his brother, former Wallace MP Sir Adam Hamilton, in 1948 and a committee of 13 members was formed for an inaugural meeting on 4 February 1949.
Undeterred by perceived societal roles of the era, the group developed, harvested and replanted the forestry.
“Most of the menfolk at the time felt that women were unable to run a forestry but they persevered, even planting seeds and propagating fir trees,” the citation from Southland Interprovincial Rural Women NZ said.
Nowadays the forest is run by dedicated volunteers, employing Log Marketing to advise on tasks such as milling, spraying and pruning.
Income from the milling of trees is distributed to the 13 Southland branches and ultimately returned to the Southland community, helping with a vast range of local services, including swimming pools and lessons, coastguard, Hospice Southland, Ronald McDonald House Southland, St John, health shuttles and outings for children.
Part of the forest was identified within a QEII wetland in 1984, protecting the land in perpetuity.
Life member Ann Irvine, who served 22 years as secretary of forestry, took on a new role as wetland facilitator, organising trips for spraying, planting new trees and cutting tracks with her team of trusty volunteers.
A project to mechanically remove willows along the stream with the aim of lowering the flood risk to neighbours is currently under way and grants from Environment Southland applied for.
At the helm as president for the past seven years, Rhonda Symons has done a stellar job running the forestry operation – everything from liaising with neighbours about access for milling trees to organising hunters to control the wild pig population.
A life member since 1978, Heather Smith has held many positions in her local branch, serving as president and secretary of Interprovincial Rural Women and, for many years, treasurer of forestry. She can be relied on to produce facts and figures relating to the forest and wetlands.
The trio have been working on a new constitution for the forestry, which is nearing completion because of their dedicated efforts.