Leading from the front issuu

PASSIONATE
HUNTER GATHERER
Before becoming a conservationist around the mid
‘60s, Pat eagerly embraced any opportunities to
catch fish, including deep sea fishing, gather and
dive for seafood and ‘go for game’ whenever he
could. With his trade-mark energy and lust for life,
he enjoyed plenty of adventures with his mates —
six kids didn’t seem to hold him back!
His most high profile adventure turned into the
stuff of nightmares, literally, when out on a fishing
trip with his leading shop staff, Harry and Peter,
and friend Bill Lamason struck engine trouble and
drifted without power overnight north of Napier in a
wild, stormy sea. Rescue planes and boats scoured
the coastline when weather allowed at first light the
bedraggled, tired group sure was grateful when the
rescue crew arrived. The boys soon relaxed when a
thermos of fortifying liquid was handed round, with
the scene captured in the local paper. These were
good years, when most felt they were living in the
lucky country.
Pat and Marie create their own worlds 25