Hut makes potentially risky area safer to access

Marking the opening of the Philip J. Cox Memorial Hut are trust members (from left) Arthur Blondell, Tony Guy, Jane Cox, Peter Ashton and Mike Jameson.

The Philip J. Cox Memorial Hut on Yellow Ridge in the Silver Peaks provides shelter and rest in an area known for its changeable conditions. The trust that built it is a Coastal Otago Conservation Award finalist. Spokespeople for the trust Jane Cox and Tony Guy talk about the memorial to a man who loved the great outdoors.

What is it about the project the trust is involved in that drives its work?

After Phil's death in 2009 his family and friends wanted to do something in memory of his life and the outdoors and safety were covered by the hut idea.

He was a very keen outdoors person and equally keen to share his enthusiasm.

As a medical man [he was an oral surgeon] he was interested in people challenging themselves.

The Silver Peaks is so close to Dunedin and he'd go out there for a run, and it was the Silver Peaks where he introduced family to tramping.

The idea to build a hut in the Silver Peaks fitted nicely with Doc's plans.

How has the project benefited conservation?

The hut makes the area more safely accessible for people keen to venture into the Silver Peaks.

It is a good training ground for people to learn about tramping as it can be quite a dangerous place when the weather changes, so you need to do things safely.

In Mayor Dave Cull's opening speech he called the hut an extra asset for Dunedin, in a wilderness area right on the doorstep.

Doc has also improved the tracks and there is a helipad next to the hut so it can be a base for search and rescue.

It is an area that if you do get caught it can be fatal and has been fatal.

What does the trust get out of its work in conservation?

There is a satisfaction all who shared Phil's vision got from completing the project and the extraordinary partnership with Doc.

I was totally surprised at how easy it was to work with Doc.

All of us before had spent time with Phil and enjoyed doing outdoor things; we're all conservation people.

So this memorial to Phil also fulfilled our normal conservation values.

What challenges has the trust faced and overcome?

We raised $43,000, which wasn't easy in such a competitive market.

Then there was bringing together everyone involved, those who had donated, in a common purpose.

It was easy in the sense that we all loved and respected Phil.