November 26, 2025
He might be 94 but Peter Winter might is still handy with a shovel. That’s why he’s happy to head into the Mid Canterbury back country to help Department of Conservation (DoC)rangers upgrade walking tracks. Winter is part of the Mount Somers Walkway Society, founded around 40 years ago.
The volunteer group of mainly retired farmers is described as the third arm of DOC, spending hundreds of hours looking after the Mount Somers tracks and biodiversity. They’ve just help build a new zigzag walk on the very popular Woolshed Creek track.
Mount Somers Walkway Society president Robert Schikker said Winter is a “real character and he’s been around for a long time”. “Being retired farmers, we love hard physical work,” Schikker said. “Peter has apparently never been to the doctor. I reckon it’s this outdoor work and staying fit that keeps him going.
“We all enjoy a day out and bonding with each other, and we love the idea that we are creating something that others can enjoy.” DOC Geraldine operations manager Tony Preston said Winter and the Mount Somers Walkway Society were the most productive, passionate, and committed community group he has ever worked with.
“As well as Woolshed Creek, they constructed a new walk to Sharplin Falls (funded and managed by them), plus they’ve done an enormous amount of broom and gorse control in the Mt Somers area,” he said. DOC ranger Chad Adams said they’re a key partner in the projects his team needs to get done.
“A lot of the work we do would be very difficult to achieve without them, we see them as one of us,” he said. “It means we can focus on other areas. There wouldn’t be a day go by when one of these guys isn’t out doing something. Peter’s a classic. He’s amazing at 94 to be going strong and what an inspiration.”
Adams also said having the group upgrade popular tracks was vital, especially heading into a busy summer season. “These tracks get masses of use, and we want to make sure they’re safe and well maintained,” he said. Adams is keen to emphasise how much DOC values their work and how much more there is to be done. “DOC is always busy. There’s a very long list,” Adams laughed.
“It’s hard work but it’s also good for your physical and mental health and you get to visit some very special spots. These guys all have big smiles on their faces, especially sitting on the hut veranda after a hard days track building.” And for our man Peter Winter? He just smiles and says it’s this type of work that keeps him feeling young. “I just love it,” Winter says, belying his 94 years.
He might be 94 but Peter Winter might is still handy with a shovel. That’s why he’s happy to head into the Mid Canterbury back country to help Department of Conservation (DoC)rangers upgrade walking tracks. Winter is part of the Mount Somers Walkway Society, founded around 40 years ago.
The volunteer group of mainly retired farmers is described as the third arm of DOC, spending hundreds of hours looking after the Mount Somers tracks and biodiversity. They’ve just help build a new zigzag walk on the very popular Woolshed Creek track.
Mount Somers Walkway Society president Robert Schikker said Winter is a “real character and he’s been around for a long time”. “Being retired farmers, we love hard physical work,” Schikker said. “Peter has apparently never been to the doctor. I reckon it’s this outdoor work and staying fit that keeps him going.
“We all enjoy a day out and bonding with each other, and we love the idea that we are creating something that others can enjoy.” DOC Geraldine operations manager Tony Preston said Winter and the Mount Somers Walkway Society were the most productive, passionate, and committed community group he has ever worked with.
“As well as Woolshed Creek, they constructed a new walk to Sharplin Falls (funded and managed by them), plus they’ve done an enormous amount of broom and gorse control in the Mt Somers area,” he said. DOC ranger Chad Adams said they’re a key partner in the projects his team needs to get done.
“A lot of the work we do would be very difficult to achieve without them, we see them as one of us,” he said. “It means we can focus on other areas. There wouldn’t be a day go by when one of these guys isn’t out doing something. Peter’s a classic. He’s amazing at 94 to be going strong and what an inspiration.”
Adams also said having the group upgrade popular tracks was vital, especially heading into a busy summer season. “These tracks get masses of use, and we want to make sure they’re safe and well maintained,” he said. Adams is keen to emphasise how much DOC values their work and how much more there is to be done. “DOC is always busy. There’s a very long list,” Adams laughed.
“It’s hard work but it’s also good for your physical and mental health and you get to visit some very special spots. These guys all have big smiles on their faces, especially sitting on the hut veranda after a hard days track building.” And for our man Peter Winter? He just smiles and says it’s this type of work that keeps him feeling young. “I just love it,” Winter says, belying his 94 years.
