Plaque to commemorate life

A plaque will be added to a seat at Eely Point to commemorate the life of a young Wānaka man who died earlier this year.

Wānaka resident and talented rugby player Samuel Dickson died of cancer on May 25.

This week, the Wānaka-Upper Clutha Community Board approved an application from Mr Dickson’s sister, Shania, for a memorial seat and plaque to honour Mr Dickson.

The application identified a seat on the Outlet Track at the northern end of the Eely Point Recreation Reserve, which does not yet have a memorial in place.

The seat is in need of maintenance and Mr Dickson’s family proposed covering the cost.

Queenstown Lakes District Council staff supported the proposal, which allows the Dickson family to contribute to a community asset and commemorate their family member.

Mr Dickson attended Wānaka Primary School and Mount Aspiring College and was a passionate rugby follower with deep-seated family roots in the sport.

He played for the New Zealand schools rugby team and was a well-respected member of the Otago University Rugby Football Club. He also played two games for Otago in 2018.

By Milo Long