Selwyn_Times: June 28, 2023

Selwyn Times Wednesday June 28 2023
14
NEWS
‘You learn a lot from
your mistakes’
•From page 13
One of Ward’s mantras was:
“Before you accept tradition, at
least take the time to challenge
it.”
He saw this on the wall of
a building while travelling
through Bali with his family
about 20 years ago. It acted as
a reminder not to get stuck in
old ways as the people around
you and the way they did things
changed.
Another was: “Don’t be afraid
of making mistakes, because you
learn a lot from your mistakes.”
Ward admits he and his fellow
managers made one of those
mistakes themselves, when
he was surprised by Selwyn’s
exponential population growth.
“We always knew it was
happening, probably didn’t
realise it would happen as much
as it did,” he said.
“I remember when we did our
10-year plan, I think it was the
2018 one, we took the view that
growth would plateau in 2019
and then start to take a slight
downturn.
“Basically we got that 100 per
cent wrong. It’s gone the other
way and a lot faster.”
Statistics New Zealand
projections indicate it will
continue climb to 100,000 within
six years. Selwyn’s population
has already doubled from 42,000
in 2013 when Ward joined the
district council to 84,000 today.
In the same timeframe, the
number of district council staff
has increased from 230 to about
550.
Ward said he will not miss
the job’s long hours. He usually
worked from 7.45am to 5.30-
6pm on week days, which was
generally followed by meetings
at night and reading and “prepwork”
on Sundays.
When he gets home from his
holiday, Ward said he will still
have a lot to focus on. He plans
to spend more time playing
golf at the Weedons Country
Club, and bring down his 18
handicap. With wife Vicki, he
will be following the harness
racing horses they have shares
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
TOURISTS: David
Ward and his
wife Vicki are
heading off on
safari to watch
the wildebeest
migrate from the
Serengeti to Kenya.
in, spending more time with
their two adult daughters and
grandchildren, and planning a
trip to the Cricket World Cup in
India in October and November.
Originally from Ashburton,
Ward started out as an
accountant for a firm in town.
He worked his way up
the corporate ladder, taking
up company and treasury
accountant roles. He was
at Skyline Enterprises in
Queenstown then worked
for Sealord in Nelson before
beginning his local body career
in 1991 as corporate services
manager at the Tasman District
Council. He was there for 16
years before taking up the chief
executive role at Horowhenua.
His successor, former Buller
District Council and Clutha
Health First chief executive
Sharon Mason, will start her new
role as chief executive on July 31.
CentreStage’s next Musical:
Calendar Girls
Mark your calendars and get ready for a
heart-warming and hilarious production
that is set to grace the stage of CentreStage
Rolleston this July. From the 6th to the 15th
of July, Rolleston College will come alive
with the much-anticipated performance of
“Calendar Girls.” Directed by the talented
Marilyn Ollett, this play promises to be
an extraordinary experience, capivaing
audiences with its blend of comedy,
camaraderie, and the enduring power of
true friendship.
“I’m pretty sure everyone knows the story
of Calendar Girls by now,” says Marilyn
Ollett, the director of this remarkable
production, “But this play is more than
a comedy about a bunch of women who
‘get their kit off’ (though of course that
is funny!) It is a play that demonstrates
the camaraderie that holds communities
together, the pure joy of clowning around
with like-minded people, and perhaps more
than anything, it shows us the enduring
power of true friendship”.
Based on a true story, the play follows
the journey of six members of the
Women’s Institute who daringly shed their
inhibitions, and their clothes, to create a
tasteful nude calendar. Their audacious
endeavour aims to raise funds to replace the
sofa in the hospital’s visitors lounge where
Annie’s husband John is receiving treatment
for Leukaemia.
This production serves as a reminder
of the importance of community and
the unwavering support found within
it. It celebrates the unique ability of the
arts to bring people together, not only as
Claire Bruce
as Chris in
Calendar Girls
Photo credit: Peter Moore Photography
spectators but also as participants, breaking
down barriers and forging connections.
According to Ollett, the cast of Calendar
Girls have “put their hearts and souls” into
this performance, stepping out of their
own comfort zones with help from the
supportive community that is CentreStage
Rolleston.
The team at CentreStage have crafted a
production that promises laughter, tears,
and an unforgettable experience for all who
attend. The dedication and passion of the
cast shine through, as they embody the
spirit of the women they portray, bringing
their stories to life on the stage. This is a
play that will inspire, uplift, and leave you
with a renewed appreciation for the power
of friendship and the courage to make a
difference.
Come and witness the magic unfold on
centre stage as these incredible women
bare their souls, proving that together, they
can move mountains. Allow yourself to
be swept away by the laughter, tears, and
the celebration of enduring friendship as
you join CentreStage Rolleston on this
extraordinary journey.
Dad leaves behind
wife, two children
after cancer battle
• By Daniel Alvey
A ROLLESTON father of two
has lost his battle with stage four
bowel cancer.
Dan Morbey died last Tuesday.
“Dan passed away at 2.51pm,
one day after his 37th birthday,”
partner Sarah Noble said.
“He will forever be in my heart
and live on in his two amazing
children – the greatest gift he
could have ever given me.”
Originally from Birmingham
in England, Morbey met Sarah
when she was on her OE and
decided to follow her back to
New Zealand in 2017.
They moved around the
country and eventually settled in
Rolleston at the end of 2021.
When he was diagnosed
in December, the family was
told his cancer was incurable.
Surgery, chemotherapy and
radiation were not an option
because of how far the cancer
had spread.
In March, they were told
Morbey had three to six months
left to live.
The family has been raising
funds for palliative treatment
through a Givealittle page. So
far it has raised almost $85,000,
MEMORIES: Sarah Noble
and Dan Morbey with their
children Alyssa, 2, and
Dylan, 5.
some of which was used to help
Morbey. Sarah said the rest of
the money would be used to
help pay for his memorial and
support the family.
“Rest assured, these funds will
be used wisely for Dan’s farewell
from this earth, for me to take
the kids to England to farewell
him there, and to figure out this
new life I now have to live as a
solo mum of two under-5s.”