Rest in Peace Colin Harvey
It is with great sadness as members of your Langs Beach and Wairahi Tracks Charitable Trust communities, in cooperation with the Harvey family, that we acknowledge the passing of Colin on Friday 28 January 2022.
With the knowledge of Colin’s love of Langs, the beach and the surf, and knowing of his confidence in, but respect of the water, we reflect on the accident that occurred on Friday. His untimely body surfing accident reminds us all how we must continue to both protect and respect our beautiful beach and surrounds.
Noting the media acknowledgement of Colin’s New Zealand wide business and community endeavours, and the tributes that his associates and friends have given of this work, we his friends at Langs beach also wish to record our pride in having Colin and his wife Mary as keen supporters of the Langs and wider Bream Bay community safety network, and the Wairahi Tracks Trust.
Following Colin’s accident, about 30 members of the community including Mary, and Colin and Mary son Damian, gathered at dawn on Saturday to participate in a moving Karakia (prayers and blessing) led by Carin Wilson, a Trustee of our Trust.
The previous night Carin had carved a Pou from a local Manuka tree which, at the conclusion of the Karakia including a beautiful hymn sung by Carin’s granddaughter Hero, was blessed, and erected on the beach close to where Colin’s accident occurred.
Thank you to all those that passed by and stopped by the Pou over the weekend to acknowledge its significance and to leave messages of respect, love and support for Colin and his family. The Pou has been of huge value to Mary and her family as they come together to reflect on Colin’s passing and their loss.
On Monday morning, at a second gathering led by Carin, the family with community support transferred the Pou to their Langs Beach home where it will be mounted as a tribute to Colin and a reminder of his contribution, love, and support of both the family and the community.
Rest in Peace Colin, we will continue to value Mary and her family participation and contribution to our Langs Beach communities.
