15 December 2010
Tim and Ray Stack, Joy Griffin and Lucy Hardyman at the
launch of the E.R. Stack wharf.
The great-granddaughter of E.R. Stack cut the ribbon to officially open the Wingham pontoon wharf named in honour of her ancestor.
Lucy Hardyman joined other members of the Stack family at the ceremony at the Wingham River Reserve last week.
Though the rain tumbled down, the many people involved in the long effort to see the pontoon wharf become a reality gathered to celebrate the moment.
The combined Rotary Clubs of the Manning Valley, under the direction of then president Maurie Stack, raised the sum of $50,000 as the community’s contribution towards construction of several pontoons along the river.
A further contribution from the Greater Taree City Council plus a matching government grant enabled the project to go ahead.
The aim was to position pontoons at strategic locations along the river to encourage greater usage of the river for recreational purposes. Rotary funds were raised through a fun gaming night that included an auction of sporting memorabilia and goods donated by local businesses and generous donors.
A similar pontoon wharf was opened in Taree and both will be useful attractions for all boat owners along the Manning River.
A large replica of the Rotary wheel has been attached to the pontoon as a tribute to Rotary’s contribution.