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The Hibiscus Coast lost an environmental champion when Philip Wrigley, of Red Beach, died on October 1, aged 66.
Philip was a loyal member of Forest and Bird Hibiscus Coast and served on the committee for several years, including as chair. He was a dedicated volunteer on the Raroa bush restoration project in Stanmore Bay from 2003, and continued with the growth and maintenance of the site for many years.
His involvement included health and safety training for Pest Free Hibiscus Coast volunteers and assisting with the installation and management of the pest control lines through Alice Eaves bush.
He worked with the Department of Conservation to eliminate more than 300 pines from the Nukumea Reserve in the back of Orewa, near the motorway, and was instrumental in getting a cat covenant on the Hall Farm subdivision, and preserving a patch of native bush in that area.
He assisted in planting restoration and pest animal and weed control at Stillwater, and Crocodile Island in the Orewa Estuary.
He also wrote Forest & Bird’s environmental column for Hibiscus Matters and made valuable contributions to many stories in the paper. Editor Terry Moore says that beneath Philip’s outwardly mild exterior lurked a true environmental warrior. “He was always the Forest & Bird member who made thoroughly researched and documented submissions on resource consents with the aim of protecting native bush and birds, and often saw issues right through to Environment Court decisions,” she says.
But Philip’s interests expanded well beyond the environment. In one tribute, he was described as “husband, father, brother, friend, economist, businessman, conservationist, toastmaster, train buff, historian, author, photographer, ocean swimmer, small boat captain, botanist, gardener, singer, jazz fan and barbecue chef”.
He was an enthusiastic member of the Auckland Marklin Club, which brought the popular model train, boat and plane show to Whangaparaoa where it is now an annual event.
His enthusiasm for model rail, and rail in general, started when his father introduced him to the hobby. Philip, in turn, shared the hobby with his son, William.
The model trains in his Red Beach home included landscaped backdrops and tunnels and the first train he was given as a boy remains in his collection.
Philip’s interest in trains extended to full size locomotives. He worked at MOTAT, rode on many historic railway lines and self-published a book entitled Non-steam Locomotives of NZ.
Modern train rides did not hold much appeal. “I like being on trains where you can go out on the balcony at the back and feel the breeze, and hear the toot of the steam whistle,” he once said.
Philip passed away peacefully at Harbour Hospice’s Hibiscus House.
