Bay Harbour: March 09, 2022

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Bay Harbour News Wednesday March 9 2022 12 NEWS Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz Leading volunteer firefighters through the tough times Bay Harbour News continues its series on our fire chiefs. Reporter Kristie Boland talks to Lyttelton Volunteer Fire Brigade chief Mark Buckley FROM CUBS to Scouts to Venturers to the fire brigade, Mark Buckley has lived every stage of his life being a part of a pack. The 56-year-old chief fire officer and Queen’s Service Medal recipient said he had strong leaders who played a big part in his life growing up. For the past 15 years, he has been that type of leader himself. Buckley grew up in Lyttelton at a time when most families had lived there for many years, generation after generation. Mark is the third generation of Buckleys living in the port. His parents worked there all their lives, his father a butcher and his mother an accountant. This meant Buckley spent of most of his childhood in Lyttelton. He kept out of trouble with his involvement in Cubs, Scouts and Venturers and playing rugby. It was through Venturers he first got involved with the fire brigade. “That had a great impact on my life. I met some really nice people and had some really good influences as far as leaders go,” said Buckley. In fact, Buckley grew up with Andrew Norris, the chief fire officer for the Governors Bay Volunteer Fire Station. The pair competed in firefighting competitions through Venturers and eventually joined Lyttelton Volunteer Fire Brigade around the same time. Before that, when he finished his apprenticeship as a boilermaker welder. Buckley spent a couple of years living in Australia. “Back then, going to Australia was like going on your big OE,” said Buckley. When he returned to Lyttelton in 1986, at 21, Buckley joined the Lyttelton Volunteer Fire Brigade. While still volunteering at the brigade, he worked as a transport manager at Stark Brothers. He worked there up until six years ago when he became the owner of Ocean Spray Transport Ltd. Mark is married to Belinda who has been his support for the past 25 years. They have two sons at home, Logan, 21, who works for Air New Zealand and Connor, 18, who has just started a degree in sports analysis at Canterbury AWARD: Buckley with Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy after receiving his Queen’s Service Medal for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community. University. Last year, Connor joined the fire brigade. “I thought what I’ve been through over the last 12 or 13 years in particular would have put him off but he seems to be very driven and dedicated to becoming a firefighter so good on him,” said Buckley. Buckley has been a part of the brigade for 35 years now, the last 13 years of that have had it’s challenges. “The earthquakes brought the best of our people to the surface,” said Buckley about his crew. “We spent two and a half weeks living, eating, breathing, sleeping on station over that period. I think we attended to 650 calls from the community, we basically ran 24/7,” he said. Just as they were getting on with life after the earthquakes, the brigade took another hit. The Lyttelton Volunteer Fire Brigade lost its station officer Brad Fletcher in 2014, when the lift he was working on at the port toppled over. The brigade crew was first on the scene to the incident. “Turning up to not only one of your good friends but one of the members of the brigade, that was a very tough time,” said Buckley. Not long after that there were two significant ship fires, one after the other. “That also took a strain on the brigade as far as the commitment to ship firefighting. All this happened within about 12 months of each other,” said Buckley. On coping with the tragedies he has faced, Buckley said: “I don’t know that you can put it into words. It’s really a matter of years of dealing with that type of thing and the training that has gone on.” “I couldn’t stand there and do it all myself, it’s all very well I’m the chief but in all honesty, if I didn’t have the highly driven, highly trained, highly motivated people in the brigade then I wouldn’t be able to do what I do,” Buckley said. Buckley’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. In 2019, he was awarded a Queen’s Service Medal for services to Fire and Emergency New CHALLENGES: Mark Buckley spends weekdays at his business Ocean Spray Transport Ltd that he started in May 2007. PHOTO: STAR MEDIA TRICKY: Smoke pours from a ship fire in Lyttelton in 2016. The volunteer brigade was part of the firefighting effort. Zealand and the community. “I took that as a sign that people do realise what we do in the brigade,” said Buckley. And that appreciation goes both ways. Buckley said he loves the people in his community and that’s why he has been a part of the fire service for so long. “It’s doing the best for your community and it’s the camaraderie within the fire brigade and the people that you get to meet.” He said the brigade is a very tight group. “They’re people who are very driven and look after each other, very professional,” he said. Next year the Lyttelton Volunteer Fire Brigade will celebrate its 150th jubilee which Buckley hopes to be a big affair. •Next week we talk to Governors Bay chief Andrew Norris
Wednesday March 9 2022 Bay Harbour News Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz NEWS 13 Treasures from the past: The Harbour Light Theatre THE ICONIC Harbour Light Cinema, 24 London St, with its twin towers in Spanish Mission style and its art nouveau detailing, dominated Lyttelton’s main street from the day it was completed. Designed by J S and M J Guthrie, built in 1916 and officially opened in March 1917, it became a central focus for entertainment in the port town. Opening night was an eagerly anticipated and well attended event with entertainment by the Lyttelton Marine Band, speeches, and an intriguing selection of motion pictures: “. . . the first picture being one of Salisbury’s Wild Life pictures depicting wild birds and animals in their natural state. A humorous study When in Rome also pleased the audience, and the popular film favourite, Clara Kimball Young, appeared in The Deep Purple, a drama of great heart interest.” https://paperspast. natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ SUNCH19170321.2.92 Initially designed with a 550 seat capacity for viewing motion pictures screened by the Lyttelton Picture Company, in 1920 a stage area was developed which provided entertainment companies with a dedicated venue in Lyttelton. Shows included theatrical performances, dance and song troupes, illusionists, hypnotists, vaudeville acts, comedians, public talks; all most welcomed by local residents. In 1920 a successful record-breaking attempt to play the piano continuously for 100 hours was completed at midnight, by firm-fingered Albert Steele of Auckland. In 1925 a landslip in the clay bank behind the building Opening night of the Kreamy Milk Bar during half-time in 1935. The Harbour Light Cinema caused significant damage to the relatively new stage area, though thankfully not to the movie theatre, which was able to continue operating until repair to the stage was completed. ‘Talkies’ arrived at the Harbour Light in 1930 and attendance at the cinema continued to be a popular local pastime. The Kreamy Milk Bar, opened in 1935, was a cool place for young lads and lasses to pass the interval during performances. In the 1960s and 1970s, ownership and usage changed hands a number of times. In 1965 Masters’ Enterprises bought the building and ran the cinema, in 1970, new owner Leo Quinlivan undertook a major refurbishment and instead ran it as a theatre venue. In 1980 film librarian Frederick E Read was the last to operate the place as a cinema, until 1983 when the building was again sold. Then owner Peter Harris carried out extensive structural changes and opened a restaurant, complete with stage and a squash court out the back. Last owners, Tom Jones and Helen Hobson took on the grand old building in 1988 and ran it as a successful and much loved nightclub and performance / event venue. Patrons stepped through the front doors and were welcomed into the rather grand lobby complete with glamorous sweeping staircases, then to be ushered into the cave-like inner sanctum to take part in a wide variety of events. It was also Tom and Helen’s home, until the earthquakes caused extensive damage to the building and it underwent a controlled demolition in April 2011. They sold the empty site in 2021. Post Quake Retreat on Treasured Lower Slopes 27 Mount Pleasant Road, Mount Pleasant Auction: 11am Thursday 24th March 2022 (unless brought forward) 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms,, 2 car-garage, 842m2 land - Listing no. OPA30182 Tucked away from street view, this private light filled & sunny November 2014 build is superbly situated to float amongst it's incredible natural surroundings. Such a prime lower slopes position enjoys ever changing views. Tides expose sandbanks, skies evolve from grey to blue, sunrises pop from the ocean, as does the full moon. A stylish kitchen with gas hob and island bench top flows to open plan dining and living. Both enjoy sliders to deck with glass balustrade allowing for easy access to the outdoors and full enjoyment of the privacy, sunny position and wonderful views on offer. Calm natural tones throughout ensure a feeling of comfort and relaxation. Master bedroom is superbly positioned to soak in the stunning outlook and enjoys the added luxury of ensuite and walk in robe. Two large guest bedrooms are situated on the ground floor both with their own slider access to large garden and grounds. Superb for children to play, gardeners to enjoy and added scope for entertainers to entertain. A downstairs bathroom with bath and shower adds to the ease of this home which also enjoys a third guest toilet off the living, separate laundry, good storage throughout and separate double garage with auto door and off street parking. Post quake foundation and build technology ensures peace of mind, whilst lower slopes position ensures this home will be sought after and enjoyed for years to come! This is not a drive by due to it's private situation. It is an absolute must inspect! Pip Sutton BCM (Marketing) Mob. 027 224 9524 pipsutton@raywhite.com Office: (03) 326 3147 Ray White Ferrymead Prier Manson Real Estate Ltd, (Licenced REAA 2008) Open Homes: Wed 5pm - 5:30pm Sat and Sun 11:30am-12pm
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Bay Harbour: March 09, 2022

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