RACHAEL COMER
Last updated 10:49, January 18 2018
Public places throughout South Canterbury have been host to a new kind of visitor in the past year. Under picnic tables in parks, hiding in trees in reserves and alongside sculptures in the grounds around the Aigantighe Art Gallery painted rocks have been appearing, disappearing and resurfacing somewhere else. Reporter Rachael Comer talks to the brains behind TimaruRocks. It began as "a bit of an idea"...
A chance to create art and spread happiness while having fun in the outdoor spaces of the district.
An initiative Timaru woman Roselyn Fauth​ had seen "going well" on social media in other parts of the county.
Since its inception in January last year, TimaruRocks has gained more than 3000 members and been part of some major community events including the first soapbox derby held in town since the 1980s and an event on Caroline Bay remembering the anniversary of New Zealand's nuclear-free status. Members also helped mark mental health awareness by holding a rock hunt.
All together TimaruRocks has supported more than 30 rock events in the past 12 months, Fauth said.
The group was established to help spread the craze which sees participants paint rocks and hide them in public places for others to find, re-hide or keep.
However, as Fauth has discovered in the past year, there is much more to the group than simply painting rocks and hiding them.
"In just 12 months, the TimaruRocks Facebook group has grown to six admins and a team of over 3000 rockers, all of their time is voluntary with a pay-it-forward feeling," she said.
Painted rocks on Caroline Bay for the Nuclear Free New Zealand 30 year anniversary last year.
- Stuff
