Community work praised

CROMWELL is mourning Daryl Ainsley, a respected local shearing contractor and president of Central Motor Speedway.

Mr Ainsley (52), who died in the Catlins on Saturday, was a threetimes South Island champion in speedway saloon racing.

He was president of Cromwell’s Central Motor Speedway.

Alexandra shearing contractor Peter Lyon said Mr Ainsley was a friend.

‘‘As a fellow contractor, I have the utmost respect for him. He was so valued by a lot of people, including his clients.’’

Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan said he met Mr Ainsley

several times over the last 15 years.

‘‘I enjoyed his energetic character, his enthusiasm and passion.’’

Mr Ainsley once talked him into driving a stock car in a celebrity race.

Cromwell Community Board chairman and deputy mayor Neil Gillespie had much to do with Mr Ainsley over the years. They played squash together and he dealt with him as a councillor and community board member.

‘‘When Daryl really got involved with something, he gave it 150%,’’ Mr Gillespie said.

‘‘It’s a huge loss . . . there will be big boots to fill . . . but my first thoughts are with the family he left behind.’’

Police said a vehicle was found in the sea at the bottom of a coastal cliff on the Tautuku peninsula around 11.20am on Saturday.

‘‘A man’s body was recovered from the water near the vehicle. His death has been referred to the Coroner.’’