Firefighter Simon Daly

I really enjoy living in Martinborough, having moved here from Wellington about three years ago. It is such a great community here, and I wanted to contribute so I decided to join the Martinborough Volunteer Fire Brigade.. 

Although I’ve had a long management career in criminal justice both here and in the UK, including dealing with incidents, this has been a really rewarding challenge. I’ve just finished my training at the National Training Centre gaining accreditation as a Firefighter, which really pushed me, but I got a lot out of it.

The Brigade is made up of a really diverse group of men and women and I’ve been really impressed by the welcome I’ve received, together with the training and support. I’ve also been surprised by the range of incidents we’ve been called out to. including vegetation fires, building fires, medical events and road traffic incidents. I may be one of the older apprentice Firefighters, but I’m hoping to contribute for a few years yet!

Family Violence Law Changes

New Zealand’s high rate of family violence is not acceptable . The Government wants to ensure family violence victims are kept safe and people who use family violence ARE HELD TO ACCOUNT . 

Some changes have taken effect to improve safety for victims of family violence. From July 1^st 2019 the new Family Violence Act 2018 replaces the old Act  from 1995. The changes give decision-makers in the family violence system better guidance about the nature and impact of family violence and enables a more consistent response to victims and those who commit the family violence.

There are changes to Protection Orders – Standard conditions applicable when someone has a Protection Order against them , have been simplified : No Contact Condition . . . the respondent cannot contact the applicant except with the applicant’s permission in writing. The applicant may change their mind at any time and this doesn’t have to be in writing. Note that a breach of a Property Order will be treated as a breach of a Protection Order and this means breaching a Property Order is an offence and the offender can be arrested  … Continue Reading

Did you know

‘DO NOT  think that your single vote does not matter much. The rain which refreshes the parched ground is made up of single drops’ – Kate Sheppard 

NEW ZEALAND will be hosting the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) conference in Auckland in 2021. $300,000,000 has been budgeted for hosting the event. 

IT COSTS $US 122,311 an hour to fly an American B2 bomber and $US 122,311 an hour to fly an F22 fighter.

THE GREAT FIRE of London started  at a baker’s hop in Pudding Lane on 2^nd September 1666. The fire burned for three days  destroying 13,200 houses, over 80 churches, 44 company halls and the original St Paul’s.  The official death toll was eight. 

CATS AND DOGS too. Before you light up indoors spare a thought for your pets. Studies have found that cats and dogs are  twice as likely to get cancer when exposed to cigarette smoke 

SINCE THE ADVENT  of television no bald men have been elected British Prime Minister. Defeated contenders include Sir Alec Douglas-Home, Neil Kinnock, William Hague, and Michael Howard.  … Continue Reading

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