Mrs Eggeling became an expert in spraying pest plants over many years of farming at Haast and the fruits of her labour in late October are now showing, with locals reporting a "100% kill".
Heleen Johnston, the convener of Haast's 75th Airline Anniversary to be held at Haast on December 18-19, said yesterday the committee was honoured to have Mrs Eggeling spray the airstrip, which is now 860m long to cater for large aircraft expected during next month's fly-in.
Mrs Eggeling used her Honda four-wheel motorbike equipped with spray tank, pump and boom to spray the weeds that had sprung up since the last major working bee in July.
The airstrip is on Dave Saxton's land behind the Johnston's petrol station and vehicle workshop.
Eammond Johnston said Mrs Eggeling was unstoppable and had declined an offer of lunch, because she had brought her own.
"Mrs Eggeling is a very independent woman who shares the strong community spirit which has been prevalent for the whole time the committee has been working on the big event," Mr Eammond said in a press release.
Mrs Eggeling is descended from Haast's first pioneer families and spraying became her specialty subject when son Kerry took over the family farm many years ago.
"Even after parts of the farm were on-sold, she still continued to spray [even on some of the sold land], not wanting to lose the ground hard gained. So it was only natural perhaps that when Betty heard that weeds had sprung up on the aerodrome she promptly volunteered her services and expertise. CRT kindly donated the weed and moss spray . . . and we have been fortunate to have a 100% kill," Mr Johnston said.
In other preparatory work, the committee has gravelled and rolled the car park and areas for trade stalls and an 18m by 57m marquee, in case it rains.
Fundraising and sponsorship efforts continue, with the committee facing several large bills and needing to raise at least $10,000. It has about $1500.
Mrs Johnston said the ticket house had been completed and now needed a coat of paint. The original parcel scales had also been tracked down and would be returned to Haast for the event.
Historic de Havilland airliners are due to fly in on December 18 and an air pageant will be held on December 19.
The events also include a plaque unveiling at the Haast Visitors Centre on December 19, with music, entertainment and food.
The Haast event commemorates New Zealand's first scheduled airline and celebrates 75 years of airlines in New Zealand.
Visitors are expected from around New Zealand for the event.
