A MONSTER auction this Saturday to raise funds for Henley Lake's development promises to be a veritable treasure trove for bargain hunters and collectors.
"Mr Henley Lake" himself, Tenick Dennison, was discovered by the Times-Age yesterday sorting through the hundreds of items donated. They ranged from the usual books, artwork, china,
furniture, bikes and knick-knacks to the more unusual items such as a wooden rowboat, a kayak, several sets of skis, and a wide range of heating devices.
"We expect these to go quickly," Dr Dennison said.
"People have been so incredibly generous, we are totally overwhelmed and thrilled with the response."
The Masterton Rotary Club is behind the auction to raise funds for the on-going development of Henley Lake. It starts at 9am in the former Stewart Electrical building in Chapel Street, opposite McDonalds.
Rotary adopted the lake reserve as its major project several years ago and has been responsible for the gas barbeque shelters and brick and ironwork entrances on Te Ore Ore Road and most recently on Colombo Road.
Dr Dennison, a retired Masterton GP, is the chairman of the Henley Lake Trust 2003. A keen ornithologist, he boasts the lake reserve is home to 47 different bird types.
The Masterton District Council is responsible for the reserve's maintenance and has set aside $35,000 in long term plan for planting and ongoing development.
Dr Dennison leads a dedicated band of volunteers who add the "extras." These include bird observation shelters and a wide range of annual planting.
Dr Dennison is also keen to pursue ways of making the water in the lake swimmable. "It may sound like fantasy, but then Henley Lake started as a dream," he said.
The origins of Henley Lake go back to the 1930s and the vision of Masterton lawyer, Henry Major. He felt a lake attraction would enhance the inland town. He had been a keen participant of the Henley Regatta on the Thames when attending Oxford College and the name Henley was adopted for his Masterton project.
An old gravel pit was eyeballed on the eastern side of Masterton and spasmodic development occurred over the years until 1966 when work began in earnest. Mining rights were obtained by the Henley Trust and the lake advanced to working drawings in 1985. The lake was filled in 1987 and planting its perimeter began immediately afterward.
