New book highlights Kaitangata’s growth

Kaitangata Rising is the latest volume in the coal town’s history, recording a journey to a bright new image.

"No longer Balclutha’s poor relation, in slow decline after closing the mines, Kaitangata is growing with new houses springing up all around an enthusiastic community," co-author Joyce Beck said.

"Positive changes over the past two decades largely came about because of the movers and shakers who created the Kaitangata and District Promotions group in order to make Kai a great place to live and to visit.

"The members of the core group are now well into their retirement years [and] the recent death of founding member Garry ‘Beau’ Williams brought home to the community that the story of Kaitangata's rise needed to be told sooner rather than later."

Written by former Kaitangata resident Denise Dent, it is a story worth telling, showing the power of a positive and proactive community that held on to its vision and worked hard to achieve it.

"I wrote it because I felt people like Joyce and Beau and the group had done an amazing job and that it should be recorded, and I knew nobody else would want to do it," Ms Dent said.

"It was my final thank you to the community that welcomed me."

Kaitangata Rising is $20 and available from Joyce Beck and Kaitangata and District Promotions. Profits will be donated to the Kaitangata Community Fund.