Attendees connected to the region the length of Wellington to Auckland were so hooked by one guest speaker, “you could hear a pin drop”.
That person was Greymouth-based Westfleet Fishing boss Craig Boote, who “without putting him on a pedestal”, shared insights at Sunday’s ex West Coasters get together of the fishing industry, quota management system, and fishing’s importance and future in Nelson and the West Coast.
Other speakers at the Club Waimea event for former Coasters to reminisce and learn about its status quo included Westland mayor Helen Lash.
She outlined developments in the region, including a local run-of-river hydro-electric power project and the construction of a new retirement village and hospital on the former Hokitika racecourse site.
NBS branch manager Jen Low, representing the event’s main sponsor, also addressed the 180-strong audience.
Co-organiser Helen Bennett was “really delighted” with how the day unfolded.
Making his debut at the coalface of organising duties, Greymouth-born Pete Carmody praised NBS and other sponsors for supporting raffles and helping to make the event a success.
