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Ron Fisher (Jock)
Ranger in Charge - Cape KidnappersNZ Parks WorkedHauraki Gulf Maritime ParkReserves WorkedKawau IslandCape Kidnappers - Te Kauwae-a-MāuiBiography JocK Fisher was a ranger on Kawau Island in the 1970s.
From an old newspaper cutting: Kawau Is Ranger Ron Fisher arrived from Scotland 20 yrs ago and worked as a deer-culler and Forest Ranger in the North and South Islands before taking up " the best job I have ever had". Every Eden has its serpents and for Ron this is the wallabies that are desecrating the native vegetation on the island and not allowing any regeneration of native species. He said that he would like to see them drastically culled but the policy of the Park Board is absolute protection. He plans to fence out a bush area for a time to prove his point. A firm believer in conservation, Ron describes the maritime park as a great asset in conservation. Like other Rangers wives red-headed Kaye Fisher is back block raised and likes the comparative quite and solitude of Kawau Island
Contributed by Ian Blackmore on the occasion of Jock's 100th birthday:
Jock Fisher, one of our group turned 100 years old on 21st May. A milestone many of us will never reach. Jock came from Scotland and worked with the NZFS Serviced as a Deer Culler and Instructor, then with Wildlife Service and later with L&S as a Ranger at Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park and as Ranger in Charge at Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony. Just over 50 years ago Marie (6 months pregnant with Daughter) walked out to Cape Kidnappers, Jock kindly gave us a lift back in the Landrover. We celebrate Daughter's 50th Birthday in a few weeks time..
Response from Jock:
Thanks for the kind words Ian, some one recently referred to me as ACERBIC I did not know what that was, so looked it up.
I am sure The Department of Conservation used that for me occasionally.
Enjoyed every minute of it.
Reply from Ian:
We all enjoyed you Jock. My earliest memory of you goes back to a course we attended in Wellington. I think you might have helped getting Jack Lazenby long as one of the Speakers. Can't recall if it was an IAD or L&S course.
Reply from Jock:
Yes Jack came down to Westland one winter from the Urewera.He was in charge of a track cutting party putting a track up the Hokitika river ,He always used to say Jock Fisher fired me,which was not correct as I encouraged him to go back to his writings and story telling rather than spend a winter in a cold wet West Coast valley.He went on to be a well known writer and we always kept in touch, but he stuck to the sacking story.
