Good Evening and Welcome.

As you are all aware, Waihi Walkways is celebrating a mile-stone – we are 10 years old. Since its inception a decade ago, significant planning and foresight by original members, some of whom are with us tonight, the brilliant idea of a linked public walkway in the Ohinemuri District was created. Over the year untold volunteers hours seen attractive wilderness areas develop. To celebrate the success of this occasion a very successful semi-guided "walk thru" was enjoyed by over 80 members and supporters.

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS & WORKS DONE OVER THE PAST YEAR

1. Benched seats installed at Riverbank Terrace, Coffeys Walk and Victoria Bridge Reserve, donated by Waihi Rotarians.

2. Culverts and a benched path with gates installed at Riverbank Terrace.

3. Kissing gates installed on Silverton Walkway, donated by Waihi Lions.

4. On-going planting, spraying of pest plants, mowing, mulching and scrub-bar work.

5. Our revised logo incorporating the Piwakawaka, indicating our environmental work.

6. Continuing work on updating the website and journals.

7. Mill Stream Walkways brochure with historic features

8. Participation in a predator control programme with Wild About Waihi and East Primary School children

9. A volunteer Wednesday Weeding Group was formed

10. We welcome new members, namely Bill and Margaret Snelling, Len Woods, Jim Cowern, Alan Groat and Ian Miles

11. Three members completed First Aid Courses

PERSONAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Heartfelt thanks to Ruth Ordish, our coordinator, for your exceptional dedication, time and energies, Eric Lens, for the planning and research, liaising, and the mowing, Roger Pearce who represents Waihi Walkways on the WCV (Waihi Community Vision), Beulah Flay for spear-heading our 10 year walk-thru sub-committee. Ian Bradshaw for the nation of our commemorative Rimu Tree and also the cash donations, and in-fill plants donated by members and supporters. To all participating committee members and supporters of our Sat/Sunday/Wednesday working bees, (an impressive 1100 Hours of time given) your combined efforts contribute to the progress and success of our organisation.

OTHER CONTRIBUTORS

I would like to acknowledge Agrisea NZ Seaweed, for our coordinator’s sponsorship, Jim Say Foundation, Valder Ohinemuri Charitable Trust, Honda Tree Fund and Trust Waikato for ongoing support.

Waihi Lions, Rotary Waihi, Hauraki District Council for donated works.

All have contributed to our progress this year.

GROUP OUTINGS

We all look forward to a bit of R & R after a years hard work, and a spring outing to the Haiku Walkway and Estuary in Katikati was welcomed, also a picnic day in Te Aroha to celebrate their "Domain Day" was thoroughly enjoyed by all, and of course our Xmas picnic in the "Meadow".

CLOSING

In closing I would to say thank you to everyone for the help and enthusiasm given to me over the past year and lets take pride for a job well done and celebrate our success.