Looking to community to protect camp’s future
CONGRATULATIONS to the people of Middlemarch who are prepared to preserve Camp Sutton for the continued benefit of families (ODT, 13.1.21).
The Middlemarch community has always provided strong support for the operation of this site, which has been used for public benefit since the late 1900s.
Let’s hope the local community is able to continue the commitment to families with limited resources without having to open the chequebook too wide.
The Otago Youth Adventure Trust acquired the facility at a nominal cost in 1998 on condition that it be used to support families.
The financial transaction was merely a vehicle to transfer ownership from the Crown to a community organisation whose core business was diverting young people and their families towards productive and rewarding lives.
Despite the comment from the current chairman (ODT, 15.12.20) this has been the core business of the trust since 1968.
Rotary International provided cash support to upgrade the buildings on condition that the facility was dedicated to support for families. Countless hours of physical labour and materials were supplied by a huge team of volunteers, especially Milton and Dunedin Rotary Club members.
The Otago Youth Adventure Trust seems to have lost its way a bit. The Middlemarch community appears to have what it takes to get the true purpose of this great facility back on the rails.
Elizabeth McColl Former Otago Youth Adventure
Trust president
Country memories
IN reference to Jonathan Allan’s story (ODT, 9.1.21) regarding the murder of ‘‘Yorky’’; I was raised at Millers Flat on a farm at Rigney which runs down to the Minzion Burn. I was interested to read that ‘‘Yorky’’ had a tent store in that area.
In the late 1950s, I used to go there rabbiting with my dog. One night, the dog took off up the Minzion Burn chasing a possum under a large overhanging rock. Under the rock was a package tucked in at the back of the cavity.
I recall being scared to touch it so took off home to tell my parents. My father, a former goldminer, was very excited, so off we went expecting to find a cache of gold. Inside the package was a tent rotted away around the outside but as new on the inside.
My father was disappointed at the time, but still thought there was a possibility of finding gold. He spent many hours looking but found nothing.
This story in the ODT brought back vivid memories of my find, as I clearly remember where I found the tent.
The area is close to the Lonely Graves which in those days were cared for by my mother.
Barry Eaton
Fairfield
Cherries
RUINED cherries worth $50 million (ODT, 13.1.21)!
I’ve eaten split cherries all my life and I’ve reached 75. Like distorted carrots, tomatoes, and so on, they are not lifethreatening. Sell them in supermarkets as seconds rather than disposing of them in tips.
The way the world has been going in the last 20 years, maybe in the future split cherries will be the least of our worries.
Kit Sutherland
Frankton ...................................
BIBLE READING: The group of believers was one in mind and heart. — Acts 4:32.