A Word form the Mayor: Wintons Final Word

Nine years and 176 Mayoral Columns later, writing for the Hurunui News and latterly re-branded North Canterbury News, it’s strange to be writing my final Column.

It’s been a privilege to have this opportunity to regularly share thoughts, and information with our community, I thank the Editors for that.

I congratulate successive Editors who’ve maintained high standards of honesty and fairness reporting controversial issues, at the same time generously highlighting our good and positive people, and the great stuff that happens across the fantastic districts comprising the News readership, thank you.

It’s also a strange feeling to be leaving behind quarter of a century of Local Government involvement, especially the last nine years which has almost consumed our lives.

There’s been a convention for retiring members to do valedictory speeches, or at least an expectation that a summary of your time in office is delivered, I struggle with the concept.

After listening to many speeches over the years, and reluctantly submitting to doing several recently myself, the reality is that there’s absolutely no way to adequately convey the experiences, the ups and downs, the lows and highs, failures and successes, severe frustrations, or the exhilaration of great community achievements.

Retirement is inevitably a time for thank you’s, Jean and I have been the recipients of many lately, from community groups and individuals.

We were humbled by those expressions of appreciation to us, but a part of me would have preferred to have slipped quietly from the scene, back into normal life.

It’s also time to say our thank you’s, again, an impossible task to do adequately, even by filling this entire publication.

Post-Earthquake, we needed to thank thousands of people, many unknown, for their generosity and help. To identify some and leave others unacknowledged, was unacceptable for me, alternatively I presented one Special Community Service Award dedicated to every New Zealander who had contributed, large or small. That Award hangs in the Waiau Memorial Hall.

I am in the same position now, please accept this as your personal thank you for everything you have done for us and our communities.

Our time has been what it has been, a privilege, thank you.

Winton Dalley
Winton.dalley@hurunui.govt.nz