The Proof of the Pudding ...
Sharemilkers Craig and Hannah Fulton, whose home farm is in Matamata, have been grazing stock at Waihi Gold's tailings storage facility for the last four years.
Photographed on a wild, wet and windy day recently at the tailings storage facility: Hannah and Craig Fulton, winners of the Waikato Sharemilker of the Year award for last year and a raft of other awards.
Craig and Hannah know their stuff. Last year they were awarded the 2007 Waikato Sharemilker of the Year and the 2007 Ballance Environment Award as well as a raft of other dairy industry merit awards for leadership, environmental management, business performance and ATV safety.
This year there are 130 Fulton heifers grazing the waste rock embankment. Most of them arrive here as one year olds on the 1st June and they stay for a year. During that time Newmont Waihi Gold farm manager Chris Whittingham looks after drenching, stock rotation, pasture and feed, fencing, animal health - everything they need.
For the Fultons it's a hassle-free partnership and they are full of praise for Chris' work and the quality of the grazing.
'We know that the best grasses are planted, the best quality feed is used and the fences are all perfect. Everything is taken care of,' says Craig.
'We can focus on the home farm and not worry about replacement stock. Chris is a good stockman and we know we can trust that he'll do a great job.'
Chris agrees it's a worthwhile partnership.
'When prestigious award winners like this have chosen to be associated with your product it's a powerful endorsement. It's just like when a NZ representative sports person identifies with a particular product - that's a good advertisement for the manufacturer.'
Waihi's Special ANZAC Connection:
The Tunnelling Company
The skills of Waihi and Karangahake gold miners were used very early in the First World War.
49 men are recorded as having enlisted from Waihi and Karangahake in the New Zealand Tunnelling Company which was the first New Zealand Army unit to serve on the Western Front.
Extensive systems of tunnels were constructed at the front. These tunnels housed men and equipment. In some cases thousands of men were accommodated underground.
The tunnels also extended under enemy lines. Tunnellers would drive under the enemy, pack the area with explosives and then detonate the charge. The trick was to tunnel faster than the enemy and set off your charge before he did. Kiwi tunnellers had the reputation of being able to construct drives much faster than anyone else.
Breathing apparatus instruction during World War One.
