Campaigners are desperately trying to rally support to prevent the closure of the iconic Opoutere Youth Hostel near Whangamata and YHA members living in The Weekend Sun circulation area could be the ones who may make the difference.

The Youth Hostel Association of New Zealand national board has decided to close the much loved hostel next Easter.

A change.org online petition in support of the hostel in May has gained more than 1400 signatures, many from YHA members, but the reality is that the Save Opoutere Campaign will need enough supportive members at the October AGM to force a change in heart by the board.

For this reason we are urging all members who don't want to see Opoutere closed and who are entitled to vote at an AGM to make a special effort to attend this meeting.

In the meantime, anybody with an interest in saving Opoutere should register their support on Facebook at Save Opoutere YHA Hostel and tell us how they would like to help.

D Wildish, Save Opoutere Youth Hostel Campaign (Abridged).