Programme seeks volunteer with a knack for numbers
One of the jewels of the Whanganui summer will cease to sparkle unless a volunteer steps forward to handle its finances.
The Whanganui Summer Programme has been running talks and excursions on an almost-daily basis in January for more than 30 years.
About 1000 people enjoy them every year, trustee David Scoullar said.
“People who come say ‘You are so lucky to have this here’.”
The programme could go into recess unless someone can take over the role of Ian Bell, who handled everything financial.
Bell died on May 5.
He was a retired chartered accountant who kept detailed records for the charities unit in the Department of Internal Affairs, banked money, provided refunds and handled investments.
“The rest of us were concerned about arranging and leading trips. It freed us up completely to do that. Our collective wisdom doesn’t cover those roles,” Scoullar said.
The job would suit a retired accountant, Scoullar said.
Trustees already have an outline for next year’s programme, and they have money in the bank.
The trustees are Scoullar and Alan Donald, and others are sought.
The trips and events of the programme are organised by groups – Forest & Bird, the Conservation Department, Wanganui Tramping Club, Friends of the Whanganui River, Pa¯tea Historical Society and the Whanganui Regional Museum.
Some trips are especially popular. They include those to Whangamomona and into the Waito¯tara Valley, the trip to the Springvale Bridge over the upper Rangit¯ıkei River and the tours of Rangit¯ıkei heritage houses.
The summer programme’s 30-year history has embedded it in