Stair challenge just one of fireman’s call-outs
Tony Scott Righting wrongs with words and hard work
Fundraiser of the Year category: Firefighter Tony “Scottie’’ Scott likes to keep himself busy — especially if it’s for a good cause.
The 43-year-old has been a member of the Auckland Airport Rescue Fire Service for the past 22 years.
During that time he has become known as one of the Fire Service’s most dedicated event organisers and can often be found volunteering at various functions or fundraising events throughout the year.
But he is most well-known as being the key driver behind the popular annual Firefighter Sky Tower Stair Challenge.
Mr Scott first pitched the idea to Sky Tower officials almost 10 years ago. In 2005, dozens of firefighters raced up the 1103 stairs and reeled in a smooth $17,500 for Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand.
The challenge is now so popular that the number of firefighters participating has to be capped.
This year more than 700 firefighters from around the country took to the stairs and raised more than $800,000 for the foundation.
Mr Scott, who hoped to get $1 million next time, said such events To read about more nominees, go to: tinyurl.com/
prideofnz Woodville’s Ian Bailey has always been community-minded and isn’t afraid to speak out.
Born in Dannevirke, he moved to Woodville in 1941, becoming a Tararua District councillor in 1994/95.
“Generally, I believe in speaking out on social inequalities and being the voice of the poor,” he says.
Mr Bailey said his passion for social justice started when he was involved with rugby.
“I was on the executive of the Bush Rugby Union for a number of years and when the NZRFU decided to send teams to South Africa without Maori, I was at the forefront of those demanding ‘no Maori, no tour’,” he said.“That was the beginning of my advocacy for those who have been unjustly targeted.”
After 15 years with the Woodville Rotary Club, Mr Bailey later became involved in social justice issues within the Catholic Church through the Palmerston North diocese.
In 1996, Mr Bailey became involved with the Woodville Gorge Cemetery.
It is almost a full-time occupation and Mr Bailey admits he couldn’t do the work without the help of his wife of 55 years, Josephine.
A guided tour of London’s Highgate Cemetery in 1998 led Mr and Mrs Bailey and their Friends of the Gorge Cemetery group to start taking tours of the cemetery where up to 1600 town pioneers are buried.
The cemetery, which was once a ruin, is now acknowledged as being very beautiful and of historical importance.
But the turnaround hasn’t been without a few shaky moments, including the 6.2 magnitude Eketahuna earthquake in February.
“Headstones had fallen over and broken and it was like putting a jigsaw back together again. But we’ve saved them from being lost.”
Last year, Mr Bailey visited the Solomon Islands to help build a hostel for trade trainees. “I’ve five children and 16 grandchildren who are always asking Granddad to help fix this and that.”