Terrance "TERRY" John Cotter completed his last Muster on Saturday 7th January 2013 in his 81^st year. The rather iconic "Voluntary Shepherd on the Mount", who was regularly seen by thousands of Mauo climbers and walkers over the last few years, calling his "girls" to heel, shifting them to a new feeding ground, bringing them in for shearing, drenching or some general "husbandry".He was a favourite with many overseas visitors and general public of New Zealand. He regularly spoke and joked with them as well as mustering a few of his "Girls" for photographs. He sometimes climbed to the top twice a day.

Terry was born on 11^th April 1932 in Matamata during the depression, the second son of Tom and Sarah Cotter and grew up on the farm at Davidson's Rd, Te Poi.

He started school in the local community hall at Taihoa, just out from Matamata at the age of six. Early on he showed his running skills, starring at the District Sports Days at the Matamata Domain.

Another early skill was singing with his older brother Brian, singing harmony to "South of the Border". Both skills were developed at the St. Joseph's Convent and continued on to the Matamata High School and on the wing for the Hinuera Rugby Club teams.

The early 50's saw Terry and Brian and their friends start Softball in Matamata, with the formation of the "Te Poi Tigers" Club. Terry became the Pitcher, and perfecting and becoming one of the Top "Figure-eight"(Spin) pitchers. In 1952 he pitched the team to victory for the Waikato Club Challenge Title, for the "COTTER MEMORIAL CUP".

At this time also the two boys, refined their singing act into a Mills Brothers style with songs such as 'You always hurt the One you Love” and 'Paper Doll”.

Later Terry was called up in the first Draft of Compulsory Military Training, but still managed to court Marie Hollis, a hairdresser in nearby Matamata. So, at the age of Twenty-one, and recently married, he took over third shares on the Home farm on Davidson's Rd; Te Poi, a position he held for four years before moving to Tirau on half shares with his own herd, which he drove from Te Aroha. Later he purchased and farmed on Kokako Rd, Litchfield where he farmed and they raised a family of five.

By this time the five Cotter Brothers were singing together with Terry still leading the melody, in 5 part harmony, singing 'Danny Boy” and many others.

He was great with machinery and was very sort after for his welding and engineering skills in his local farming community. He built his own herring bone cowshed, and masterminded and developed with neighbours in the early ‘60's a farm water supply scheme from a spring 7 kilometres up in the bush clad hills behind the Lichfield farm, which is still in operation today.

After marrying Lyn and having two more sons, they lived and worked their kiwifruit orchard at Pyes Pa Tauranga. This was followed with stints selling fertiliser, then real-estate, specialising in farms, small holdings and lifestyle blocks.

Terry became well known in the Mount/Tauranga as a lawn mowing contractor called the 'Lawn Ranger” with his truck 'Tonto” and built up a large clientele by word of mouth, as he was very particular and did such a good job.

He had a love of nature and the outdoors and tramping was a passion. He belonged to the 'Pack and Boots” club in Tauranga and did many great walks and tramps, including to the top of the snow clad Mt Ruapehu which was quite an achievement for an amateur tramper.

When Terry retired, that icon 'The Mount” became his passion, as he cared for it greatly. He was the volunteer shepherd on the Mount for many years walking up the mount every day, and twice a day during lambing, with his trusty staff, that he had made out of lancewood. He helped with mustering the sheep as all he had to do was call out 'Come on. Come on.” and 'his girls!” would come to be shifted. The photo of him on his favourite rock on the Mount epitomises his personality.

Later, as his health declined, Terry had to give up working with the sheep, but could still be seen trudging slowly up to the top of the mount almost every day with so many people saying 'Hello Terry” or 'That's the shepherd with the stick” as he went on his way.

He retained a witty sense of humour throughout his life and a great memory for poems and jokes that he would often recite.

For the last few years of his life, Terry lived in his unit at Mount Maunganui and, because of his handyman skills, he enjoyed being helpful to many other elderly residents.

Terry's funeral was a great celebration of his life with many humorous stories to lift the spirits of the many mourners. He is survived by his 7 children, 9 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and 4 brothers.