The wonders of Onepu Park

WNC 19Mar14 - WAY WITH WORDS: Bill Clark narrates and stars in a video promoting the Onepu Community Recreation Park. He is picturedf with a stunning carving of Tamurenui. SUPPLIED / 170314ONEP

Inhabitants of the Eastern Bay will be on display this Friday as the Onepu Community Recreation Park goes up against creative enthusiasm from around the country at the TrustPower National Community Awards.

In a fantastic video, written, narrated and starring Bill Clark, the driving force behind the establishment of Onepu Park, the wonders of the area will be shared with Mayors and entrants from the 25 regional winners from throughout New Zealand.

The Onepu Community Recreation Park was chosen as the winner from 48 entries at the annual TrustPower Whakatane District Community Awards in August last year.

Mr Clark and his wife Alison will be accompanied by Whakatane Mayor Tony Bonne and his wife Linda, to Invercargill on Friday where they will give an eight minute presentation on the park. Each of the 25 groups will be judged on their presentation, along with a 1000 word summary provided prior to the event.

The groups are judged by their peers, with peer judging making up 50 percent of the final score and the other 50 percent coming from an independent judging panel.
Mr Clark's video is guaranteed to get the crowd laughing as he dons on his khakis and safari hat and highlights the stunning park and its inhabitants in a David Attenborough voice.

Popping up from behind bushes, rowing his boat in Lake Tamurenui and traversing the tracks, Mr Clark introduces the viewer to a number of ``inhabitants'' within the park.

First up are the ``indigenous originalis'' picking watercress and who, according to Mr Clark, are returning to their natural habitat after being chased from the land.

Then there are the ``voluntaris enthusiasticus'' who help keep the tracks tidy and who turn up when needed to lend a hand.

``Bounding wallies'' are shown running through the park while the less enthusiastic ``dawdling wallies'' stroll along and take in the surrounding.

Also introduced are the ``juvenile bikeus terrainous'' taking on the bmx track and the ``Mayorus ponderous'' who sits and gazes into the void.

``Halflings'' have a starring role as does Tamurenui, the half woman, half fish creature, who is believed to still inhabit the lake.

The clever video is a stunning tribute to the park and to everyone who has helped shape it.

The Supreme Winner at the Trustpower National Community Awards receives a trophy, framed certificate, $2500 prize money, a $500 voucher for any Exult workshops or resources and the increased profile and recognition that comes with this national success.