Grant Stowers is taking his skills coast to coast after five years' graft to help beautify Castlecliff in Wanganui.
Originally from Auckland, Mr Stowers has been chief cook and bottle washer for the Port Bowen Trust in Wanganui.
Much of his handiwork can still be seen at the children's playground on the
corner of Rangiora and Karaka streets.
Trust chairman Brian Maude said Mr Stowers had been a tireless worker on behalf of Castlecliff residents, especially children.
"Grant has been responsible for much of the playground structures along with a dedicated bunch of volunteers. The trust started from a group of volunteers contracting jobs from the Wanganui District Council and the profits made were ploughed back into the organisation and that enabled us to employ Grant," Mr Maude said.
Mr Stowers' last task was to design, build and install child-size barbecue tables using his own children as the measuring stick.
"The bigger family size tables were even a wee bit too big for grown ups let alone kids, so we decided to construct several just for the children.
"I used my own kids as a measure and built the tables to fit," Mr Stowers said.
Another major part of his job was as the youth services manager looking after people falling foul of the law and receiving community-based sentences.
"That part of my job will fall under the Castlecliff Community Trust when I leave," he said.
The skate park, basketball court and about to be installed gas barbecues are also a legacy left by Mr Stowers working closely with the Castlecliff Linking Group.
"I've enjoyed being chief cook and bottle washer, rubbish collector and general roustabout for the Port Bowen Trust, but it's time to move on.
"My family and I are heading off the Gold Coast where the sun shines all the time, the tropical fruit is abundant and the seafood is great," Mr Stowers said.
PICTURED: Grant Stowers (centre) and son Dominic are making the big leap across the ditch to the Gold Coast after five years' hard graft for the Port Bowen Trust. Trust chairman Brian Maude and Pepsi farewell the pair.
