Pegasus Post: December 18, 2018

8 Tuesday December 18 2018
Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
News
Lifeguards
brings their
specialised
skills home
SOUTH BRIGHTON’S Harry
Roberts and Waimairi’s Rachael
Cleeve were among 20 top
volunteer surf lifesavers to attend
the National Lifeguard School.
They received an advanced lifeguard
award at the school in New
Plymouth, which was run by Surf
Life Saving New Zealand.
Based at the Fitzroy Surf Life
Saving Club, the three-day school
takes top volunteer surf lifeguards
and teaches them advanced skills
including rock rescues, helicopter
operations, advanced first-aid and
rigorous fitness challenges.
All participants take the
specialised skills back to their
beaches, where they will ultimately
help save lives and help
keep beach-goers safe during the
holiday season.
Hamish Clayton from Waihi
Beach took home the highlyvalued
top candidate award.
Surf Life Saving New Zealand
national education manager
Belinda Slement said the
lifeguards showed exceptional
leadership, teamwork and
decision-making skills.
HOOCH FONOTIA was
18-years-old when he walked
through the doors of the
Canterbury Freezing Works in
Belfast for the first time.
His reason for taking the job
was simple, he needed one.
Mr Fonotia, who lives in
Aranui, had no idea that this
decision would lead to some of
the best memories and strongest
friendships he would ever have.
After 45 years service at the
age of 64, he was forced to call
it quits when the plant closed
down, causing about 250 staff
members to lose their jobs.
Mr Fonotia said his time at the
plant had played a huge part in
shaping who he is today.
“The job always meant more to
me than money – I made a hell
of a lot of friends.”
Mr Fonotia and other former
freezing works employees
reunited to mark the 10th
anniversary of its closure on
November 17.
Mr Fonotia organised the
event in which about 200 former
staff members met at The Bower
hotel to exchange stories about
their time at the freezing works
and reconnect with old friends.
Said Mr Fonotia: “It was a
really good feeling to see all
sorts of people, as many had
gone their separate ways and
not seen each other since the
closure.”
Guests celebrated with a slice
of cake and speeches from Mr
Fonotia and New Zealand Meat
Workers Union Canterbury
branch secretary Bill Watt.
Mr Watt said Mr Fonotia was
the main reason the get-together
had happened. “A lot of credit
has to go to Hooch. It was a
really good function.”
Mr Watt said Mr Fonotia’s
efforts to make the reunion
happen were even more special
given the event could have been
“the last hurrah” for some of the
Local
News
Now
Hooch’s mates reunite
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PEGASUS POST
REUNITED: Hooch Fonotia (left) Ross Blakley, Janine Gauld, and Graham Finiki were among
the former Canterbury Freezing Works employees who reunited for the 10th anniversary of its
closure.
Fire rages, homes at risk
freezing works longest-serving
employees.
“There were some there that
may not be able to do it again.”
Mr Watt said in its day, the
Canterbury Freezing Works was
one of the biggest producers and
exporters of lamb products in
New Zealand.
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Poto Williams’ Electorate Office is closed for the
holidays from Friday 21st December and opens
in the New Year on Monday 7th January 2019.
Wishing you all a safe and restful Christmas and
a peaceful New Year from the team.
Poto Williams
MP for Christchurch East
133 Brighton Mall
P 03 382 0288
poto.williams.mp@parliament.govt.nz
Authorised by Poto Williams, Parliament Buildings, Wellington
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