The modern history information display board at Melville Koppies was noticeably worn out and sun-blackened after 22 years, until one young artist intervened.
Designer and artist, Caiti Gower designed a new board without charge and ensured it was installed professionally.
“I wanted to help and was made aware of the fact that the boards on the Koppies were degraded due to weathering. After one of our Sunday hikes, we spoke to Wendy Carstens who works at the koppies and she asked us what we did for a living. Being designers, this sparked the discussion regarding the restoration of the history board.”
“We are delighted with the new design for the information board. It is crisp, clear and beautifully laid out. The old one was deteriorating badly and really needed replacing,” said Carstens.
Gower and her husband enjoy walking in the open park nearly every Sunday.
Gower told The Northcliff Melville Times that she always believed in using her skills to better communities. She said volunteering is a great way to give back to society and make a positive impact on people’s lives.
Carstens said, “Her actions serve as an inspiration for others to get involved and make a difference in their own communities.”
When asked what the history of the Melville Koppies Nature Reserve meant to her, Gower said, “We were never really outdoorsy people and never went hiking. However, last year, we decided to buy some hiking boots and promised ourselves that they would not go to waste. The very next day, we did our first hike at the Koppies and signed up for the whole year. When we heard that the last person to purchase the full year only made it halfway, we took it as a challenge. We aspired to beat the record by attempting to walk every Sunday. This has become a much-needed break from our computer screens. No matter how tired we are from the week, we make an effort to make the hike. If you need a breath of fresh air in the middle of the suburbs, Melville Koppies is just a walk away.”
Gower is currently running the digital studio at Accenture Song and mentors young professionals.
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