Raise a glass for Wilbur
When coordinator, Wilbur Dovey, sent his regular email to the Kaiwharawhara Revegetation Group in June, he dropped a bombshell. “Unfortunately, after 21 years, the time seems to have come when I’m going to have to give up leading you all each month. Old age and unfitness is catching up. I’ll keep on providing morning tea until someone takes the job on.”
Fellow Ōtari volunteer, Ron Fountain, says that Wilbur, together with his late wife Liz, have been outstanding volunteers at Otari-Wilton’s Bush. ‘For more than 20 years, many of them as a Trust Board member, Wilbur has co-ordinated and led the Kaiwharawhara Revegetation Project. He also skilfully managed and guided cruise passenger tours at Ōtari for many years. Many of us have benefitted from his knowledge, wisdom and unwavering encouragement as our friend and mentor. Thank you Wilbur.’
And this, from Ōtari Manager, Tim Park. ‘Wilbur has diligently enabled volunteers to chip away at the ecological restoration of the Kaiwharawhara valley over many years. He should be proud of the massive achievement his group has made by planting native trees and keeping on top of weeds throughout the planted areas. When the big slip happened (in 2023), Wilbur was the first to offer help to remove the rubbish and replant the area. This was a big boost to our morale as it seemed like an enormous task at the time. Thank you Wilbur for your sustained efforts, you are truly a local legend!’
Take a well-earned rest, Wilbur, but we know you will likely be there at the next working bees anyway, no doubt doing more than serving morning tea.
Posted: 7 July 2026