CRATERS OF THE MOON TRUST NEWSLETTER (undated)
Enclosed is a formal invitation to the opening of the new Kiosk this Thursday and I hope both past, present and future volunteers will come to the opening. I am “tickled pink” that we finally have a kiosk in which we can be comfortable with good facilities and continue to provide the security watch and improve Taupos reputation as caring and safe community.
The kiosk whilst small, should be cool in summer as it is enclosed with concrete on three sides and hopefully easy to keep warm in the winter. Hector Watt, Doug Wakiedine and Morrie McHugh have been working hard at painting the interior while others of us have generally also had a hand at having it complete, with the Department of Conservation’s assistance and of course Amtech Construction who built it.
By Thursday we hope to have the car—phone fully rigged on a permanent basis working off batteries within the kiosk, a gas fridge, a gas ring fully rigged and also — touch wood - a small gas califont to produce instant hot water to the sink.
Malcoim Kirker and Jack Wolkin have been responsible for the building of the service bench and the shelving and fitting out with assistance from others. Glenn Tocker has put in place the supports for a pagola in the front of the kiosk to give an attractive appearance and this will be either covered with shade cloth from Department of Conservation or with removable canvas awnings when the finances improve.
Serena Thompson has been on duty for almost two weeks taking the afternoon shift, with financial assistance through New Zealand employment, and I think she, like the volunteers, will be more than happy to move away from the Campervan and into the permanent building.
What is hoped is that Serena will take the afternoon shifts on week days say from midday through to 7-8pm with volunteers taking the morning shifts and also being on duty during the weekends. Subject to volunteers being available, the tentative thought is to have the kiosk manned in the weekends from say 9am till 7-8pm working on two or three shifts.
As you will be all aware, our real vulnerability to vandalism and thefts is late in the evening when there are only one or two cars in the car park.
The purchase of the goods wagon did have the effect of the Department of Conservation finding funds to provide us with the kiosk. It does however mean that we now have the goods wagon to dispose of. Iif anybody wants a magnificent garden shed or a sleepout for the grandchildren the goods wagon would be ideal for that purpose it would also serve as a small holiday bach until a family could build their permanent home or holiday home on their section in Taupo.
