Running the new reservoir walk would be another thing.
Is the Marton Development Group gearing up for another big project?
We would like to finish off the play trail, which is connected to the new playground. We're also looking at whether we can upgrade the existing velodrome here in Marton.
Those are the two projects that are on our radar.
What is Marton's best kept secret?
It's got really amazing scenery if you just drive slightly out of the town itself.
You've got the most incredible views of the Hunterville hills, then there's the Rangitīkei River of course.
It's far more beautiful than people realise.
What advice would you give to your 15-year-old self?
Don't worry so much, and don't sweat the small stuff. Things will have a way of working themselves out.
You can invite any three people from history to dinner. Who would they be and why?
I'd invite the Queen, she seems really interesting. Robin Williams can bring the comedy to the table.
How about Freddie Mercury as well. What would they talk about? They come from pretty different backgrounds, that's for sure.
The Queen has witnessed a lot of stuff through history, she's been around for so long.
Robin can tell jokes, and Freddie can serenade her.
How did the Marton Development Group start out?
It came from the idea of improving the play space opportunities in town for our kids.
There was a need, and the playground was why the group was formed. Now it's continuing, because we've got a great committee and we've succeeded in what we've done.
All going well, the velodrome is the next thing on the list.
What do you think Marton will look like in 50 years?
I'd like to see it thriving, with a range of facilities for the community. The facilities we've already got would need to be maintained and improved as well.
It's a great little town, and the thing that makes it special is that you know everyone. People say "hi", and it's not often that you'd go into town and you don't know anybody.
I wouldn't want that to change, no way.
Which event from history would you most liked to have been at?
Something where there's a big party would be nice. The end of World War II perhaps?
It would have been amazing to be there to help celebrate an amazing period of trauma coming to an end.
I would be dancing in the streets, but I think everyone would be wouldn't they?
Have you ever thought about running for office? The Rangitīkei District Council perhaps?
Absolutely not. People have asked me, but I'm happy doing what I'm doing. The politics of it doesn't interest me at all.
This [the playground] was hard enough, so I couldn't imagine being on council. There's so much bureaucracy involved in councils. I don't really want to be part of that.
Has the new Marton playground proved to be a hit do far?
It's absolutely humming. I think the council even saw a growth in spending from the 2019 school holidays to the ones we had in April.
It's been massive. There are people there all the time, and the community is always talking about how packed it is.
