In 2005 I became aware that one of the reasons Timaru was not going ahead was because there was no printed material available that promotes the City. The Timaru City did not have and still does not have a brochure. The only printed material about the City is some history books or brochures promoting the Central South Island and Aorangi. The new website commissioned by Aorangi Business Development Tourism Ltd is now confusing everyone by calling themselves South Canterbury.
Timaru is the second largest City in Canterbury so to promote it I am publishing a book called ‘Timaru Today’
The book will have 10 chapters and it be photographs and captions of every thing that is of interest on the designated walks around the city. These are the walks
Chapter 1 Caroline Bay – This chapter is all but completed and when finished will contain close to 350 colour photos on up to 32 A4 pages. I began my journey on the Bay Hill and these are the places I photographed.
- The Hydro Grand Hotel
- The Timaru Piazza
- Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden
- War Memorial Wall
- Caroline Bay Sundials
- S C Roller Skating Centre
- Freedom Camping
- The Yacht & Power Boat Club
- The Wheel Park
- Sand Dunes & Boardwalks
- Benvenue Cliffs & Lighthouse
- ASB Tennis Centre
- Caroline Bay Aquatic Centre
- The Timaru Bird Aviary
- Heartland Sculptures
- Caroline Bay Buildings
- The Entainment area
- Relay for Life
- Caroline Bay Carnival
Chapter 2 Central Timaru - Photographs from this walk will consist of many historic buildings built in Victoria and Edwardian design. I have already have photos of most of these. The Christchurch Earthquake makes us realise the importance of photographing these historic buildings to record out history in case of loss.
Chapter 3 Dashing Rocks – The photos on this walk will consist mainly of coastal scenery and if I’m lucky I may get a photo of a seal ot a penguin
Chapter 4 Timaru Botanic Gardens – A walk though the gardens I will see some interesting things to photograph.
- Graeme Patterson Conservatory and Fernery
- Anderson Rose Garden
- Cenotaph war Memorial
- South Canterbury War Memorial Wall
- The Met Station
- Duck Pond
- Queen Victoria Sunken Garden
- Bird Aviary
- Robert Burns Statue
- Timaru Botanic Garden Education Centre
- Park Bowling Club
- Children’s play ground
Chapter 5 Centenial Park -This is Timarus largest park and certainly the most scenic. I have photographed the park and their are 150 photos which will be displayed on 8 pages
- Fantastic Scenic Views
- Bluestone Quarries
- Moa Bones site
- Old Railway Track
- Small Lake
- Children’s Playground
- Mountain Bike Tracks
- Picnic & Barbecue Area
Chapter 6 Saltwater Creek – This is pleasant walk from the South End of Timaru. Photos include
- Native Plantings
- Bird Life shags, geese,ducks, pukekos, royal spoon bill white herons
- Historic stone bridge
- Farm land
- Farm Animals
Chapter 7 Redruth Calodonian - This walk starts at South Street and my photo collection includes
- Country flags of early immigrants
- Heartland Scupture
- Patiti Point
- Sailing Ship Memorial
- Sailing Ships Anchor
- Historic Tripot
- Barbecue & Picnic area
- Timaru Rowing Club
- Sea Surfers
- Bird Life
- Native swamp plants
Chapter 8 Otipua Wetlands- This is new wetland restorative project that is brimming with bird life. Photos include
- Native Trees sedges and tussocks
- Swamp Lake
- Large variety of Birds
- Ancient basalt lava rock
Chapter 9 Otipua Creek – The Otipua Creek is between saltwater creek and Centennial Park. I have 34 photos on 2 pages of the Otipua Creek and they consist of
- Native Plantings
- Bird Life
- Horses
- Cows
- Goats
- Sports Feild
- BMX Track
Chapter 10 South Beach - This track goes fron South Street up the coast by the railway line to the port. Photos will include
- Wild rolling Surf
- Round beach stones
- Coastal Birds
- Fishing Boats
- Ships
- Yachts
Chapter 11 Country Life -In this chapter I will be taking my camera on to farmland surrounding the Timau City and this what I will be photographing
- Dairy farms
- Sheep and cattle farms
- Cropping farms
- Farm Machinery
- Horses
Chapter 12 Sponsors Page – Many hours of work over many years have gone into producing this book which when finished will be a wonderful tool that everyone can use to promote Timaru in a way that it has never been promoted before. It will be sold online and also in hard copy. I can only do so much but the final presentation and printing of the book needs to by done by a professional graphic artist and book publisher.
Companies and individuls who contibute to the final presention of ‘Timaru Today’ will have their name published on sponsors page of the book both in hardcopy and online. The more sponsors we have the more books we can print at price which is affordable to all.
Enquiries about this fantastic book contact me Phone 03 6861271 or email ron@timarudirectory.co.nz
