Elwyn?s Dream fulfils Ali?s dream

A SECRET mission to save the species, special training and false names are all ingredients in a prize-winning short story written by Ali Foster, of Masterton.
Elwyn's Dream tells the story of Wairarapa's Elwyn Welch, whose work helped preserve New Zealand's population of takahe, forming the base for the takahe sanctuary at Pukaha Mt Bruce.
Mrs Foster, a teacher's aide, wrote the tale for a children's story competition run by Mitre 10, publisher Random House, and the New Zealand National Parks and Conservation Foundation.
Mrs Foster's prize includes a trip for four to Te Anau and a tour of the Department of Conservation takahe breeding unit at Burwood Bush.
Elwyn's Dream is likely to be published in New Zealand early next year, realising a "lifelong dream" of Mrs Foster to become a published author.
In her book, Mrs Foster recounts how Mr Welch trained bantams to brood, later introducing them to pukeko, in preparation for them helping to raise takahe chicks.
A group of men, including Mr Welch, set off for Murchison, where takahe had been rediscovered in 1948, after an absence of 40 years, during which they had been thought extinct.
Travelling under assumed names in a secret mission, the men brought Mr Welch's bantams with them, and carried back the first four takahe chicks to Mt Bruce, where they became the basis for the captive breeding programme.
Mrs Foster, whose husband Gary works for the Department of Conservation, has helped in the recovery of several sick native birds at the family's Matahiwi Road home, including moreporks, sooty shearwaters, and penguins.
For years she has written short stories and attempted to get them published.
Mrs Foster has even studied for a diploma in children's literature, which is almost complete, but is having a break as she "couldn't stand not writing any more".
When she found the Mitre 10 competition, Mrs Foster "spent ages researching different story angles and following all sorts of leads" involving takahe.
"Finally I reached a stage where I knew I had enough information and that's when this story just seemed to flow.
Random House New Zealand were "delighted", with the competition's "many terrific stories", said publisher Jenny Hellen, and "even more pleased to discover Ali Foster's lovely story Elwyn's Dream.
"We think New Zealand children will thoroughly enjoy this story and that it will also serve to encourage conservation of the takahe."
Mrs Foster said seeing her work published will fulfil "a lifelong dream. I've cracked it at last."
Mrs Foster, whose work as a teacher aide helps visually impaired children, has recently learned Braille and would like to see Elwyn's Dream translated into Braille so more children can enjoy the story.