The lookout includes a picnic spot and an information kiosk detailing the history of the area, which was the last gold mining site on the West Coast. There is also a monument to those who fought in World War II.
Visitors are rapt with the area which is maintained to a high standard by the offenders. They have just finished work laying rocks around walking tracks on the site, some of which lead to old gold-mining tunnels.
We’ve only heard good things from visitors coming through,” says project chairperson Mike Keenan. “It’s been great dealing with the offenders, and with the supervisors. They’ve done a wonderful job.” Community work supervisor Wendy Kemp says the offenders have taken real pride in doing the job well. “The area was vandalised at one point and the guys were so upset,” she says.
“They got right back in and cleaned it up” It hasn't happened again since." Offenders were given maps at the start of the project initially so they could see what was coming up. But Mike says these maps became a way for them to track their own progress.
"We'd see many of them back here on their non-work days, accompanied by their wives and girlfriends. They were proud of what they'd achieved and were keen to share it with their partners."
Photo: Project chairperson Mike Keenan (left) and community work supervisor Kevin Barlow enjoy the view from the Rimu- Woodstock lookout. Groups of community work offenders have worked hard to make it a popular local attraction.
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ISSN 1178-1327