Robin Schwass is one of Ambury Regional Park's good sorts.
In 1979 he became the first ranger at Ambury – they were called farm superintendents in those days – and has spent 18 years on the farm.
He was one of a group of rangers who came up with the idea of Ambury Farm Day – an annual family fun day at the farm – and has put his heart and soul into making the park what it is today.
Now retired, we caught up with Robin to learn more about the inspiration behind Ambury Farm Day, which was first held in 1988.
Find out more about Ambury Farm Day 2017
OurAuckland: Why did you and your colleagues come up with the idea of Ambury Farm Day?
Robin: There was a need to make the public aware of what the parks team were doing for Auckland. The suggestion came up that we hold a free open day in October where we would invite people to have a look at what we were doing here on the farm.
We settled on the last Sunday of the school holidays in October, as this meant people were likely to be around Auckland and we would have a number of newborn farm animals – there’s nothing like springtime on the farm.
How has Ambury Farm Day changed over the years?
Robin: There’s more outside entertainment but overall the event hasn’t changed much. The things kids get to do, like rolling hay bales and watching sheep-shearing, is what we did back when it first started.
Why is Ambury Farm Day important?
Robin: In the early days everyone had an uncle or aunt on a farm but this is not as common now, so people don’t often get the opportunity to experience farm life. Getting to see and touch a lamb is a unique experience.
Ambury Farm Day also invites local community groups to fund-raise, which helps to put money back into the local area. And it helps people find out where Māngere Bridge really is.
Ambury Farm Day 2017
This year’s Ambury Farm Day (Sunday 8 October, 10am-4pm) is a particularly significant day for park ranger Stan Hall, who will be working his last day at the event. Stan is one of our hard-working rangers at Waitawa Regional Park. He started his career 14 years ago.
“I started as a park ranger at Ambury Regional Park and worked there for about five years before moving over to Waitawa. I wanted to finish up where I started, so I’m having my last day at Ambury Farm Day,” he says.
It will be the 15th Ambury Farm Day that Stan has worked at and he thinks the event is a great concept.
“Showing city people a little bit about what happens in the country is awesome. Sheep-shearing, milking cows and horse-riding are things farming people know all about but people living in the city don’t necessarily get to experience. It’s going to be a great last day – I’m looking forward to it.”
