Couple love to walk and weed

Meyric Bellerby and his wife Lyn are true community gems - they strive to make the world a better place, not for their own pleasure, but for the enjoyment of others.
Mr and Mrs Bellerby, 74 and 73, live on the border of Johnson Reserve in Welcome Bay. They call the reserve an "extension of their backyard" and have taken on the role of being the reserve's personal carers.
They maintain the upkeep of the reserve by picking up rubbish, pulling out weeds and replanting. After six years of effort, Mr and Mrs Bellerby have never been paid.
Mr and Mrs Bellerby have always been conscious of protecting the environment. They had a farm in Rotorua, sold it and moved to Welcome Bay about six years ago. They found a section adjacent to Waipuna Park and Johnson Reserve and fell in love with it.
"Being outdoors is very important to us," Mr Bellerby said. "We're not interested in living in a place when you look out the window and you're looking into your neighbour's house ... we wanted a place with a bit of greenery."
They take regular walks along Johnson Reserve, which was donated to the council from the Johnson family many years ago. While planning on a half-hour walk, sometimes Mr and Mrs Bellerby would spend hours down on the tracks clearing rubbish or pulling weeds.
Mrs Bellerby said it was hard to convince her husband to continue the walk when he wanted to stay and tidy the area.
"I would say 'come on, we're meant to be walking', but it was never as simple as going for a walk," she said.
"We're sort of fanatics about it ... we like to keep it clean and tidy," she said.
Mr and Mrs Bellerby got involved in one of Tauranga City Council's care groups and began taking part in clean up projects. The council then cut funding to these care groups, which Mr Bellerby said was crucial in maintaining the upkeep of Tauranga's reserves.
"When the funding was cut, people stopped helping out. Now everything is done purely on a volunteer basis."
But Mr and Mrs Bellerby persevered. Over the years they've encountered a range of challenges but are now recognised by the council as a reliable care group.
"We tend to approach [Environment Bay of Plenty] with what we need and they come back to us with what we need," Mrs Bellerby said.
Because there was no money allocated to care groups, work in the reserve was done purely on a volunteer basis, she said.
Pete Huggins from the Department of Conservation said weed care was a vital part of conservation "as it frees up nutrients and space for native plants and animals that the weed species do not support".
"Meyric basically runs the Johnson Reserve care group - showing leadership and also inspiring others to do work. A few people have heard about what Meyric is doing and have started their own groups elsewhere in the city."
Mr Bellerby was pleased the council was supporting their efforts, but he was still concerned about the long-term plan for Johnson Reserve and other reserves around the Western Bay.
"[The council is] going ahead with newer parks rather than consolidating what we've already got," he said.
"These areas require a big upkeep and I don't really think people have the time these days."
Mr Bellerby said the beauty of the reserve was a result of hard work by dedicated volunteers.
"It's a team effort. A project this size project can not be done by one person."
Even though he got scratched, battered and bruised after a day in the reserve, Mr Bellerby said it was extremely satisfying seeing the positive changes occur.
"The reward I get is just seeing it happen. The thing with trees is you don't personally get the pleasure of the significance or beauty of it, that's for the next person to enjoy," he said.
"I want to make it a bit cleaner than how we found it ... but it's an ongoing job and there will always be something that needs to be done."
Mr Bellerby said places like Johnson Reserve were rare and he encouraged people in the Western Bay to explore these beautiful areas.
Mr and Mrs Bellerby and the other Johnson Reserve volunteers were honoured with the Bay of Plenty Regional Weedbusters Award in 2006 and 2009.
It was an honour to be recognised but Mrs Bellerby said: "We're just two little fish in a large pond trying to do our bit for the community."
Mr and Mrs Bellerby are also involved in a care group for Te Puna Quarry Park.
People wanting to help out at Johnson Reserve can contact Meyric or Lyn Bellerby on 07 544 4427.
Today's Community Gem, Meyric and Lyn Bellerby, will receive a restaurant voucher, courtesy of Jack and Nancy Hogg. The voucher can be redeemed at Bravo, Encore or Greer's Gastro Bar.
Many thanks to Jack and Nancy for their generosity and ongoing support.
RECOGNITION
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