Book on Woodville Domain board’s history launched
An historic account of the work of the Woodville Domain Board from 1884 to 2019 was launched by mayor Tracey Collis and Ron Mabey, chair of Woodville Domain Board at the Woodville Racing Club on Monday, March 2.
The book, Guard and Preserve, is the third book Paula McCool has written.
The first two were Woodville-Pahiatua Racing Club’s history followed by Bush Brothers, a history of the Ruahine Lodge No. 80, Woodville 1886-2015.
The history of the board’s guardianship covers the land used by the Woodville Clay Target Club in Masterton Road, the Ferry Reserve and Ballance Domain. It has details about some families where several generations served on the Board — the Boltons, Murrays and Morgans.
“Many past mayors have served on the Domain Board — a staunch, service-driven group of people over the years with good strategies and focus,” said mayor Tracey Collis.
“It’s been a long-standing Domain Board and an important part of Council right up until today. Paula McCool has done a huge amount of work in preserving the history of Woodville. Notably, there is a photograph of two men fishing in a lake, taken by famous Woodville artist Gottfried Lindauer.
“The Minister of Conservation, Eugenie Sage, visited the Ferry Reserve Domain last year and acknowledged the work of the Woodville Domain Board as a leading example of exactly what the book has captured — volunteers improving our recreational area.
“It’s at the end of a project we can see the success, what they’ve created and the legacy they’ve given us. It will look a completely different place in 50 years — I can’t wait to see that because I’m going to live to 100!
“You should be proud of the work you have carried out,” she told Board members. “The vision you’ve shared and what you’ve left to New Zealand and our visitors — the Ferry Reserve — has grown as a beautiful place. Tararua District Council has used it in their promotions of the district.
“Now that the Gorge has closed, Ferry Reserve is the only place that you can capture the essence, breathe in and view the majestic beauty. The collapse of the Gorge impacted our psyche when our view of the Gorge was taken away. Many of us enjoyed that on a regular basis.
“Now all we can see is the Ferry Reserve, we are left with a beautiful reserve to view that from. What it brings to the Tararua in visitor numbers is huge. Gerard Murray used to drive to the domain every day and do a count on the number of campervans. That’s how we first started monitoring the number of visitors to the district,” she said.
Ex-board members Ian Bailey and Ralph Mountfort attended the launch.
“We’re very passionate about the work we do on behalf of Council, especially Ferry Reserve,” said Ron Mabey. “This is a special place, it’s unique — the entrance to the Manawatu¯ Gorge. We look forward to extending things and planting plenty more trees, improving the site.”