Media Release
29 March 2007:

Local to lead Ross Goldfields project

Local knowledge, a 10 year association with the information centre and a passion for the area is what newly appointed Project/Research Manager Kath Maitland will bring to the Ross Goldfields and Heritage Information Centre project upgrade.

Approved as one of 15 regional initiatives under the Tourism MRI project, the Ross Goldfields and Heritage Centre will receive over $200,000 funding support from the West Coast Development Trust and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise for initiatives including, improvements to the road signs promoting the historical goldfields, the addition of a history room interpretation, interactive displays and videos, the production of promotional brochures and an audio cottage providing the history of the area.

Kath Maitland, a born and bred West Coaster and a Ross local since 1971 says her immediate goal is to get all the projects underway and some completed before the start of the next tourist season. “My responsibilities include coordinating the projects, researching the history of Ross and its surrounding areas, especially talking to the more senior members of the community before their stories are lost, and making sure there is a minimum of disruption as we implement the projects.”

Kath said she is very excited about compiling and displaying the history of the region, including more recent history surrounding the lime works, the old mill and railway. “One of my priorities will be to complete the current history room, extend the memorabilia and information and display it ready for the tourists later this year. The Centre receives a lot of enquiries about lineage, where people lived and where they were buried. An ancestry trail is another aspect of the history I hope we can support and provide.”

Not daunted by the role ahead of her but aware of the extent of it, Kath says she will have the support of Chairman Bill Handisides, General Manager Suzi Breeze, the committee and staff. “I served on the information centre committee for 10 years and it was both the challenge of the role and my passion for the area that attracted me to it,” she said.

“I am also looking forward to working alongside DOC who will play a major role in advising and supporting the initiatives which when completed will make Ross a ‘must stop’ option on the tourist trail.”

If you have any interesting information about the Ross area, then Kath would love to hear from you. You can contact her through the Ross Information and Heritage Centre.

ENDS.

NB: Kath takes up her position on Monday 2nd April.

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