Bushman

Timber hewn by the bushman heavily underpinned Waimate’s prosperity. “The heavy timbered 4,000 acres of Totara forest stretching to Queen Street appears to be nearly the fringe of an extinct larger area” (A.H. Reed)

By 1860, Otago Goldfields were winding down, and 200 men were working the Waimate bush. By 1878, the iron horse (railway) daily pulled 40 wagons loaded with logs to northern construction sites, making the Waimate District the most prosperous in the country.

Heritage Totara Forest planting

The mighty Totaras was a prized species for the early European bushman who settled in Waimate in the mid 1800’s. They were drawn to the area due to the abundance of Totara timber available for the development of settlements and infrastructure in the surrounding regions.

The Totara lumber sourced from the Waimate area quickly gained a reputation for quality and was often shipped to many parts of New Zealand as well as oversees.

The Bushtown Heritage Forest Project sets out to recreate the mighty Totara Forest that once adorned the Waimate District landscape. Individuals, families, interest groups or companies now have the opportunity to participate in this project by planting their own commemorative Totara tree on designated areas within the Bushtown Heritage Park.

We have pleasure in suggesting visitor accessing The Waimate Bushtown for further information. www.bushtownwaimate.co.nz

The Bushman Sculpture

Thank you to the following organisations, businesses and individuals for providing the major funding for this project:

Alpine Energy Ltd, AMI Insurance, Atma’artjin, B.J. O’Neill, Blakely Pacific Ltd, Boothy’s Building, Events Waimate Inc, G & A Dennison, Hammer Hardware, Inner Wheel Club of Waimate, Ken Wilce Plumbing, Kirk Irrigation Ltd, Laurie Forestry Ltd, Lion Foundation, Philip Wareing Ltd, Rotary Club of Waimate, Family of the late Bill May, Community Trust of Mid & South Canterbury, The Southern Trust, Waimate Decorating Ltd, Waimate District Council, Waimate Town & Country Club, Waimate Whitehorse Lions Club.

Thank you to the members of the Waimate community who supported our fundraising activities. Special thanks to Bobbie Laurie.

We also appreciate the assistance of Hook Bush Nursery, Trevor Joyce Property Management and Rollison Engineering with the site development.

The sign that accompanies our iconic Bushman is soon to be reinstated!

In collaboration with Bushtown, Waimate District Council and Waimate2gether, the new sign is being prepared. Thanks to Bushtown and WDC for their contribution to the costs, and thanks also to Lyle at Waimate Panel and Paint for his kind sponsorship in painting the framework.