Friends of Mt Remarkable recognised for years of service
The Friends of Mount Remarkable National Park held a Christmas celebration and awards presentation recently, with certificates of appreciation presented to 11 members to recognise their efforts in maintaining and caring for the park.
Between them, the 11 members have racked up more than 160 years of service to the park over the 25 years the ‘friends’ group has been running.
Mount Remarkable National Park ranger in charge Donna Ferschl says the work of the volunteer friends group is invaluable.
"It’s really important to have a friends group in the park, they get a lot of work done that we can’t get to in our daily role," she says.
"The park would not be maintained to the level it is today without their tireless efforts."
Members recognised at the certificate presentation include:
Nigel Gillett, 24 years of service; Roger Hunt, 18 years; Keith Lloyd, 15 years; Peter Venhoek, 15 years; Ray Morick, 11 years; Bob Middleton, 10 years; Eric Dagger, 10 years; the late Harvey and Joan Spencer, 16 years; Richard and Eleanor Roberts, 11 years.
Friends of Mount Remarkable National Park president Nigel Gillett has been involved in the group almost since its inception, and with 24 years of voluntary work with the friends group, is the longest serving member.
Mr Gillett says the Friends of Mount Remarkable group is involved in cutting and maintaining tracks, pest and weed control, survey work, photo monitoring of campsites, track inspections, hut restoration and much more.
He says he thoroughly enjoys his involvement in the group and as a lover of the outdoors says being a member gives him access to some amazing areas of the park.
"I just really enjoy getting out into the park and walking in some of the gorges, there’s some quite fantastic scenery that you just don’t see if you’re driving past," he says.
"It really is a hidden gem of a park."
There are currently 14 families involved as members of the friends group, with one from Adelaide, as well as Port Augusta, Port Pirie and towns surrounding the national park.
New members of the Friends of Mount Remarkable National Park are welcome.
The group meets on the first Saturday of the month at Mambray Creek headquarters.
For more information, take a look at the group website or phone Roger Hunt on 0438 680 588.
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