A legend returns to Kawau to add to his family’s abiding legacy to the island

trip a week to the island. He says the members of the Food & Beverage staff, who have been unable to do their normal work, had been put to good use and adds, “it has been a great team bonding experience at the same time.”

Funding remains an issue, according to Porter. Support from members, who are invited to make contributions, has been encouraging, but further financial assistance will be vital to fulfil the ambitious goals set for the island. Porter says, subject to approval, about 75% of the income from this year’s RNZYS Charity Auction will go towards the Kawau Legacy Project.

For long periods over the winter and spring, Hopman and Will Clough, with occasional assistance from Johnny Montgomery, camped at Lidgard House as they worked on the project. The house has now been thoroughly cleaned, ready to accept guests for the summer once Covid restrictions allow.

More recent work has involved re-levelling and re-seeding the lawn areas to the side of Lidgard House, which were ripped up by the diggers