Settlers Rest Retirement Village launched the establishment of a beautiful new pathway through its forest, named in honour of Prof Trevor Steinke.
The pathway is one of two other initiatives established in the last three years aimed at conserving the coastal riverine forest that is part of the retirement village.
The project was spearheaded by Mike Keeley, former chairperson of the Board of Trustees for Settlers Rest, and Rob Henderson.
Keeley said: “The task of the residents of Settlers Rest is to care for this region and to see it is properly maintained.
“A number of past and present residents have played an important role in this endeavour.
“Prof Trevor Steinke is one who has been particularly active in this regard over many years.
“He, together with Hylton Whitfield, Clive Morris, Les Johnston, Jack Cambers, Hardin Beck and Jean Day, played an enormous role in providing many of the facilities which we now enjoy.
“Prof Steinke is a true academic who has put his knowledge to the use of people.
“He has been active in the administration of Settlers Rest, having been chairperson at one time. He is always available to give information and willing to share his knowledge.
“Settlers Rest has been blessed with all the years he has lived here.
“His wife, Denise, has also played her role. Her expertise as a trained nursing sister with an interest in the care of the aged has been invaluable.
“She ran a clinic for some years where residents could go and get advice and have their blood pressure taken. The Steinke’s both played a role in establishing the well-kept gardens which we enjoy.
“Prof Steinke’s is an East Londoner who should not be forgotten. He was born and bred an East Londoner, and schooled at Selborne College.
“He is world-renowned for his research into the mangrove swamps on our east coast. This includes the establishment and reintroduction of the mangrove forest on the Nahoon River.”
The pathway was completed over a number of months and there are plans to extend it to access the upper reaches of the forest; this will provide access to the wetland areas, where two bridges have been built.
In time, a raised platform will be added to provide access during flooding.
“Our pathway is already put to good use and residents and their families have had the pleasure of using it so they can enjoy that part of the forest. We now need to proceed with the next part of the task and build the pathway going higher up into the forest.”
