Women lose staunch voice
The first organisation she joined was Plunket, where she contributed her training as a Karitane nurse specialising in babies and young children. She was later employed as a hostess.
Plunket clinical leader Raeleen Todd said Mayman was caring and non-judgmental.
‘‘She was an advocate for women’s wellbeing and family health, no matter what role she was by women from many local organisations.
‘‘The role she played for the women of South Canterbury will be lost.
The common meeting room in the Women’s Community Centre on Banks St is called the Isobel Mayman Room.
National Council of Women South Canterbury president Alison Gray said the room got its name in 2010 to ‘‘reflect Isobel’s contributions to the community’’.
After the Timaru District Council sold the centre’s original premises in 1986, Mayman was a major force in convincing the council to provide women with an alternative base.
‘‘She put in a lot of energy and effort in order to have the council recognise what the building had stood for,’’ Gray said.
Mayman repeated the struggle 24 years later when the council sold the new centre’s spot, securing a building on Butler St.
Gray said the most important thing Mayman gave women was the guidance to consider honesty and fair play.
‘‘Her wisdom will be missed,’’ Gray said. Isobel Mayman died on December 14, 2017, aged 86. She is survived by her husband, Michael, and children Margaret, Mary, and Geoffrey. matthew.littlewood@stuff.co.nz The sale of Timaru-based agriculture firm Duncan Ag to Otorohanga-based Giltrap Engineering has been received as good news for both companies.
Clough Agriculture, better known locally as Duncan Ag, confirmed the sale went ahead this week with chairman Don McFarlane saying it reflected the health of the agricultural economy in the region.
‘‘Growth has been very positive of late. Broadly speaking, agriculture in South Canterbury is in a good spot.’’
McFarlane said it would largely be business as usual for the 35 staff, who have been retained under the sales agreement.
‘‘There is a real potential for growth in the business. Over the years we have had to adapt to changing markets. These days, over 60 per cent of our production goes overseas to countries such as Australia and China,’’ he said.
McFarlane said Giltrap had made a commitment to the region, not only purchasing the business but also the land and buildings in Timaru, and guaranteeing job security for Duncan Ag’s employees.
For dealers and farmers, it was business as usual, with benefits to be gained, McFarlane said.
‘‘You will see a continuing presence and expansion of Duncan Ag, which is of benefit in terms of a wider range of equipment and, over time, improved equipment.
‘‘[That is] as well as maintaining the service for parts and replacement components that has always been part of Don McFarlane the local service,’’ he said.
‘‘The agricultural manufacturing sector has been under pressure from imports. It’s great to see two innovative companies consolidating their business to strengthen New Zealand’s presence and maintain New Zealand ownership.’’
Giltrap Engineering managing director Craig Mulgrew said the purchase made a statement about the health of agricultural manufacturing in New Zealand.
Giltrap Engineering has about 80 staff. Mulgrew said it was committed to the Duncan Ag brand.
‘‘We have had our eye on Duncan Ag for several months. By combining the two businesses, in the long run, it opens up a lot of opportunities.’’
Giltrap Engineering is a family-owned business, which was established in 1959 by Wilfred Giltrap in Otorohanga. In 2001, he sold the business to his daughter Belinda Mulgrew and her husband Craig.
Clough Agriculture is also a familyowned business. The company started as WR Clough and Sons Ltd, founded in 1937 by Manawatu blacksmith Bill Clough. It has continued making farm machinery since. Duncan Ag produces equipment that is sold worldwide.