Determined, resourceful individuals and colourful characters, are the cornerstone of the communities of the Wellington Southern Bays.
Robert Logan – a passionate campaigner for the South Coast environment – disappeared without trace in 2010.
click this link to view a small selection of his photographs.
Few people have been able to explore the further regions of the south Coast as Robert did. If you have any relevant information you would like to share about these photos, please go to the contact page of this website: https://www.wellingtonsouthernbayshistory.nz/contact/
Press release for the 2020 exhibition of Robert’s photographs
PASSION AND INSPIRATION – THE PLACES ROBERT LOGAN LOVED
The hidden beauty of Wellington’s south coast that lawyer and ecological activist Robert Logan fought to preserve is celebrated in a stunning collection of photos exhibited in Island Bay from the 6th to the 10th of October 2020.
The exhibition was sparked off by 2020 being ten years since his disappearance without trace on the south coast in August 2010.
This photo exhibition is a visual reminder of Robert Logan’s love of the natural world and his unstinting battle to preserve this for future generations.
The focus of the exhibition is on where Robert grew up and focussed his efforts – Wellington’s dramatic and wild south coast from Island Bay to Makara.
Born in Island Bay and educated as a lawyer his private and public life met in his love and protection of this land where he grew up: a landscape with ecosystems that he saw threatened by unfettered development and thoughtless exploitation of natural resources.
His life’s work provided significant open spaces for people to enjoy as well as creating a community of people who continue now to plant, maintain and care for the reserves he created.
His ideas of planting trees and keeping sufficient untouched nature have now, in this era of climate change, become part of the common currency in today’s world.
His walking expeditions took him to the furthest corners of the south coast, reaching inland streams that reveal a forest beauty that few would know exist. Along the way he documented these taonga of nature with his photos and it is a selection of these that have been chosen for this exhibition.
Other aspects of his journey covered in this exhibition include the campaign to close the quarry near Red Rocks (Pariwhero), the planting of Tawatawa reserve above Owhiro Bay and the development of Paekawakawa Reserve above Derwent Street in Island Bay.
Robert Logan – and the many who came to help him along the way – have changed the landscape of Wellington for the well-being of future citizens. This exhibition should surprise and delight with the beauty that is to be found on the South Coast as well as raise awareness that without community awareness and action much could still disappear forever.
This exhibition was held at the Presbyterian Church Lounge, 88 The Parade, Island Bay from 10.30 am to 6pm from Tuesday 6th October to Saturday 10th October 2020 inclusive.