Founding father set to be cast in bronze

A GIANT AMONG MEN: Carterton Lions Club secretary and project organiser Allan Renall beside the full-scale mould of the statue of Carterton's founding father, Charles Rooking Carter, which will soon be cast in bronze. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Carterton Lions Club members have given their final seal of approval to a statue of the town's founding father, Charles Rooking Carter.

Secretary and project organiser Allan Renall and director John McNamara made a trip to Auckland's Progressive Casting last week to inspect a full-scale mould of the statue, before it is dismantled and cast in bronze.

Mr Renall said there were only a few small alterations to be made before casting began.

"It will be tidied up a bit but that's basically how he will end up."

Finally getting to stand beside the 2-metre tall statue had been quite a surreal experience, Mr Renall said.

"Just to think that we've come this far. It's quite exciting to get to this stage after nearly two and a half years' planning and fundraising."

The club's fundraising efforts were bolstered in June when it received a $50,000 Lotteries grant, which helped it reach the fundraising target of $100,000 sooner than expected.

The statue, which will weigh a tonne, is due to be finished by Christmas.

It will then be transported by truck to Carterton, before being placed in Millennium Park.

The statue, along with a revamp of the park, is due to be unveiled in February or March next year.