Big boots to fill for new officer
Stepping into a role held by someone for nearly three decades is no easy task, but it’s one South Canterbury’s new fire risk management officer is more than up for.
Geraldine volunteer firefighter Craig Chambers has stepped into the role following the retirement of 45-year firefighting veteran Kevin Collins earlier this year.
He knows he’s got ‘‘very big shoes to fill’’, but he’s more than up for the challenge.
The 42-year-old Methven native has firefighting in his blood. He grew up watching his father fight fires as part of the Mt Somers Volunteer Fire Brigade, and decided to give the job a crack himself.
‘‘I used to hang out with him and watch him training and stuff,’’ Chambers said.
‘‘One of the guys asked me if I wanted to join too, and I thought why not, Dad seemed to have fun.’’
The end of 2016 will rack up 24 years as a volunteer firefighter for Chambers, first in Mid Canterbury and now in Geraldine.
He made the move to Geraldine about 15 years ago, where he still lives with his wife and two sons, aged 14 and 11. Chambers also has two step-children who are studying at university.
When Collins retired Chambers knew he wanted to take on a new challenge.
As fire risk management officer, he will investigate fires in the region, as well as speaking to schools and community organisations about fire safety.
He was particularly passionate about the education side of the job and spreading messages, he said. ‘‘It’s great, it’s really cool. ‘‘It’s a lot busier than I ever thought.’’
There was also plenty of work to do around legislation, particularly health and safety. However, as a former compliance coordinator at Fonterra, he had plenty of background in the area.
He was also planning to continue serving as a volunteer firefighter in Geraldine.
‘‘It’s another part of helping the community,’’ he said. fire safety
Zone committee decision
The Waimate District Council could become the latest managing member of a committee which helps to oversee water in the region. The council would join Environment Canterbury, Timaru District Council and Mackenzie District Council, which sit on the Orari-Temuka-Opihi-Pareora Zone Water Committee. It could cost the council between $8500 and $10,000 per year to participate as a managing council, which facilitates community involvement in the development, implementation and review of a zone water implementation programme. Waimate District councillors endorsed a recommendation that the council is included as a managing council and it appoints a representative to the committee.
Mulvey farewells board
Timaru District councillor Pat Mulvey chaired his last meeting of the Temuka Community Board at 5pm on Monday. Mulvey will retire this year after 15 years’ service on Temuka’s Community Board and after six years of having chaired it, he said. Mulvey expressed some frustration that he and the board had been unable to achieve all they had set out to do over the years, specifically completing Temuka’s Domain Avenue sewer project. However, Mulvey said he had enjoyed his time as a board member. He thanked secretary Joanna Brownlee and all board members present for their help and friendship over the years. He commended board members who were running for council for stepping up to be of greater service to their community. Councillor Richard Lyon thanked Mulvey for his dedicated service and praised him for having ‘‘always batted well for Temuka’’.
School puts on gala
Opihi College is hosting a Twilight Gala from 4pm until 6pm tonight as a fundraising exercise. Some of the attractions include a silent auction, a monster white elephant stall, a chocolate wheel as well as stalls selling plants, books and toys.
Concert giveaway
A mad fiddler and a light-footed Irish dancer, along with a trio of singers and an accomplished pianist will be making their way to Timaru next week. The Timaru Herald has two prize packs to give away, each containing a double pass to Operatunity’s Irish Eyes are Smiling, on at 11am on Wednesday, August 31 at Theatre Royal, and a CD. To go in the draw, please email koren.allpress@fairfaxmedia.co.nz your name and a contact number, with EVENT in the subject line, before midday on Monday 29. You must be able to collect your prize from the Timaru Herald office at 19 Sophia St. Winners will be contacted by phone on Monday.
Police notebook
Incidents in the notebook:
An elderly woman suffered a minor cut to her head after her car collided with another car when she was doing a U-turn on Talbot St in Geraldine on Wednesday afternoon. Senior Constable Murray Thatcher, of Geraldine, said the woman was taken to a medical centre for a check up, and the male driver of the other car did not suffer any injuries.
Acting Sergeant Darren Galbraith, of Timaru, believed a BB gun might have broken a window at St Joseph’s Temuka School library sometime in the previous week. The incident was reported to the police on Tuesday.
Two Temuka men, aged 19, were arrested on Wednesday after they both failed to appear in the Timaru District Court.