FIRE BRIGADE REPORT

By Chief Fire Officer Jake Hawkins

Season’s Greetings from the Brigade, that arrived quickly, where did the year go? 

The Brigade would like to thank all its members, and their families, for their efforts and attendances at incidents during the year, and we hope to get Christmas Dinner uninterrupted. Give us a wave if you see us out and about. 

The Brigade expects to completed over 250 calls for assistance by the end of the year, and around 70% of these are for our Medical First Response unit. This is a lifesaving service for our Community, and as CFO I would like to thank our dedicated First Responders for their commitment in making this part of our volunteer service such a success. Remember our siren doesn’t sound for medical calls unless we need extra crew on the appliance, or we get a second medical call.

We were happy to be available to assist around the recent Martinborough Fair and thanks to all those who changed plans to be available.

Congratulations to our newest Firefighter Tamara Hudepohl on completing her recruits course at the Rotorua based National Training Centre, well done and thanks for all the extra training you did ! We also congratulate Brett Townsend on completing his Senior Firefighter Course and promotion to Senior Firefighter.

If you have any queries about assistance or response please don’t hesitate to contact me – CFO Jake Hawkins – 0272-559-440

Remember wear a seat belt every time you drive anywhere, be careful with BBQs, Pizza ovens, Hangi and Campfires, be safe around the water and wear a lifejacket.

In any Emergency cal 111 Remember we never close and are here 24/7 for you.

Did you know

‘THE RELATIONSHIPS that people have with social media sites is pretty ludicrous: they’re all owned by billionaires and designed by expensively attuned algorithms we stand no chance of besting, yet we persuade ourselves that they are public spaces that are democratically designed and that we’re entitled to’. – Virginia Trioli ABC Aust.

“MOST OF what we call management consists of making it difficult for people to get on with their work” – Peter Drucker

A TOTAL OF 1.26 million people arrived in New Zealand in the 12 months to August. Half were returning New Zealanders and half overseas visitors. This is the first time annual arrivals have exceed one million since Dec 2020. 

THE AVERAGE national cost of a takeaway coffee rose from $3.13 in 2008 to $4.35  this year. The value NZ butter exports for the year ended September amounted to $ 2.2 billion. NZ exported 40,160 kg of oats last year – about the weight of 11 hippos.

Stats NZ have an endless supply of interesting information, learn more at stats.govt.nz. … Continue Reading

Country Dog City Dog

Councillor Comment

The Hawkins whanau under new sign for George Hawkins Way.

Firstly, thank you to everyone who voted in the recent Local Government Election, the South Wairarapa had a healthy turnout and shows just how engaged our communities are.

It has been a very busy month, with our new Governance team getting all the induction information and learning our role. I attended induction in Wellington and bumped into Matua Greg Hawkins, whose father George Hawkins was the backbone in the building of Hau Ariki Marae. I was lucky enough to attend the opening of Martinboroughs newest street, George Hawkins Way, in recognition of all his work within the Maori community here in Martinborough.  It was very moving and the sun shone for the whole ceremony.

I attended the Wairarapa Business Awards and there was a fantastic amount of amazing South Wairarapa businesses that had been shortlisted for the awards! Well done to you all, your hard work and perseverance deserved the recognition and we all appreciate the mahi you do throughout our community to keep our District thriving!

Lastly as we move towards Christmas I would like to wish everyone Compliments of the Season and the very best for the coming New Year, from my whanau to yours. We are all looking forward to the numerous events planned around the town.

Nga mihi ki a koutou Councillor Pip Maynard