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Allan’s tireless efforts helped make the SOSSI pest proof fence a reality.
Early this month, the community received the sad news that founding chairman of the Shakespear Open Sanctuary Society Inc (SOSSI) and former Hibiscus Matters columnist (and Local Folk) Allan Parker has died.Auckland Council acknowledged Allan’s contribution to the creation of the open sanctuary at Shakespear Regional Park, through his chairmanship of SOSSI and the many hours he spent volunteering on the park.
Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee chair, Cr Christine Fletcher, says it’s people like Allan that help council realise the full potential of its parks. “We recently celebrated the 50th anniversary our regional parks and acknowledged a group of visionaries who championed conservation and the protection of open space for all Aucklanders – Allan Parker joins this group. His passion for creating an open sanctuary at Shakespear always stood strong – while advocating for council to agree to the project; raising more than $600,000 towards building a pest proof fence and getting stuck in to the long list of volunteer tasks on the ground. We are grateful for the time that he and his family have given to the park and will make sure he is always remembered,” she says.
Auckland Council Open Sanctuary senior ranger Matt Maitland worked alongside Allan through many phases of the development of the Open Sanctuary. “The early days for SOSSI involved lobbying and creating awareness. As chair, Allan was effective in engaging with regional and local politicians to shore up support for the proposal,” Matt says. “He used his experience and networks to ensure support for the project was widespread and created new relationships between the community and partners like the YMCA Shakespear Lodge, the NZ Defence Force and Watercare.” Matt says that Allan was also a leader in developing SOSSI’s education programme and establishing relationships with local schools.
Last year Allan and his wife Elaine joined other volunteers for the reintroduction of the whitehead.
“Farewell Allan, we thank you for your leadership of SOSSI, for your unrelenting commitment and passion for the open sanctuary, and for your friendship and humour. You will be sorely missed – and particularly by our ranger team,” says Matt.
