Firefighter’s 25 years recognised
Members ofNewZealand’s 53rd Parliament will be sworn in by the end of themonthand Parliament will sit for just a fewdays prior to Christmas.
It will have a very different look and feel to the last Parliament and I return as part of amuch diminished National Party team.
Leader Judith Collins has asked meto be National’s spokesperson for the Environment, Workplace Relations andRMA(Environment). These are crucial policy areas and I’m verymuchlooking forward to getting stuck into the cut and thrust of the work ahead. Myfriend and colleague Dr Shane Reti has been elected deputy leader and will inmyview, be a very goodnumbertwo to Judith.
As CoromandelMPthe opportunity to cast somelight on the manyhardworking and dedicated volunteerswhosupport our communities is something I relish. Without volunteers giving generously their time, energy and experiencemanyof our local community organisations and nearly all of our emergency first responder agencies could not operate.
Recently Ihad the opportunity of being present at the Mayor View Athenree fire station for the ceremony to award Ant Smith aGold Star acknowledging his terrific 25 years of service as a volunteer firefighter and to the Athenree community. Ant has served the entire 25 years at Athenree and actually completed this milestone with the brigade last year but asweall know, wehad a fewcurve balls thrown at us and the celebration for Ant was held this year.
Congratulations Ant and thank you to you and your family for all you have given over the past 25 years. Youand all volunteer first responders are pillars of our local communities andweall value highly the work you do on our behalf.