Friends of Tawa Bush Reserves

24 August 2005

Guides commemorate Nan’s life

Jack Worgan helps plant the matai tree in Coronation Park in memory of his late wife.

Nan Worgan has gone, but will never be forgotten.

Involved with Girl Guides in Tawa since 1854, Mrs Worgan had a history of community service that made her one of the area’s most respected role models.

She helped build Guide halls in Johnsonville and Tawa and as well as a leader, served at district level too.   Mrs Worgan passed away earlier this year.

Her memory was sealed on August 24 with the renaming of the local guide hall in her honour and the planting of a matai tree in Coronation Park.   It was also a celebration of the Guides’ 50th birthday in Tawa.

“Nan influenced so many young ladies in Guides,” said Judith Havill, Tawa Guides’ district co-ordinator.

It’s lovely to see everyone here, it’s a special day for us all,” she said.

Matai was, fittingly, Nan’s nickname.

“The matai is a strong tall, spreading tree, just like Nan, “Ms Havill said.   “We hope it grows tall for the Guides to sit under.”

Mrs Woman’s family and regional Guides’ luminaries were out for the ceremonies, as stories were told of a lady who touched so many lives.

By KRIS DANDO

REF: Kapi-Mana News - NEWS, September, 2005.  

PS.   At a meeting of the Wellington City Council held on 20 February 2002 Mayor Kerry Prendergast presented Nan with an Absolutely Positive Wellington award for her services to the Wellington community and in particular for her work to Guides.

27 August 2004

Commemorative Trees a Thank You from Lord of the Rings Fans

Lord of the Rings fans Yvonne Gwyn (left) and Susan Lamont help plant a Kauri at the launch of the Council’s new Commemorative tree scheme at Willowbank Park in Tawa.   Picture Neil Price.

Two New Zealand projects are to benefit from an international fundraising project by fans of The Lord of the Rings (LOTR) films.

Fundraising Coordinator Stephanie Blevins, in the United States, says the fundraising was a way for LOTR fans on the website TheOneRing.net (TORN) to say thank you to Peter Jackson for creating such a successful film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s book.   “The response has been incredible.   Fans from around the world have contributed to the fundraising, which shows you just how widely the films have touched people,” says Stephanie.

“We just wanted to thank Peter Jackson so much for making these films.   The fans are such wonderful and giving people and they saw this as a great opportunity to show their appreciation in a tangible way.”

Wellington City Council’s commemorative tree scheme was chosen as one of the beneficiaries of the fundraising as a salute to Professor Tolkien, who was an avowed environmentalist.   As a Tolkien website, we’re aware of the Professor’s love of trees and his distress at the way urban development comes so often at the expense of many beautiful old trees.   So there’s no question he would have approved of a tree-planting effort in his honour.

Eleven kauri trees were planted in Willowbank Park in Tawa, at 2pm on Thursday, 2 September 2004.   The 11 trees comprise nine for the ‘Fellowship of the cast and crew’ of the films, and one each for Peter Jackson and Professor Tolkien (while also honouring the 11-Oscar sweep of The Return of the King).

The GiveLife foundation was chosen as the other fundraising beneficiary as Peter Jackson has publicly supported the issue of organ donation in New Zealand.

Council Manager of Botanic and Natural Areas Mike Oates says commemorative trees are a thoughtful and distinctive way to provide a living memorial and a great way to help ensure a greener future.   Mr Oates says the commemorative tree scheme is just one of the ways people can help plant our city’s future and help bring back native birds and bush.

Mayor Kerry Prendergast who was also there to help with the planting says she is delighted that Wellington City Council’s commemorative tree programme was chosen as a beneficiary of the LOTR international fundraising project.

“This is a very generous gesture and we thank the fans for it.   As this is the very first commemorative tree planting it is very special.   It is honouring one of Wellington’s most loved sons, Peter Jackson, while at the same time commemorating Professor Tolkien.   We, in Wellington, are very proud of our association with the Lord of the Rings trilogy.   I am sure this park will become another very popular LOTR site for tourists and residents to visit,” she says.

Since the release of the LOTR movies, fans have travelled to New Zealand to see for themselves the places where key scenes were filmed.   Both Stephanie and Erica expect the kauri trees in Willowbank Park to attract fans from TORN who wish to see what their fundraising efforts have achieved.

Ref WCC news release http://www.wellington.govt.nz/news/display-item.php?id=1966, and
LORL fans web site http://www.theonering.net/perl/newsview/8/1093557781
Branch Out Vol 14: Spring 2004 issue.