Since Sept 27 1879 Saturday, October 31, 2020 $2.70 WEEKEND COMMUNITY HEROES HONOURED A PERFECT STORM P3 PUSHING FOR BETTER PASIFIKA HEALTH P7 was $7.98 $3.92 each Ph 03 307 7900 now to subscribe! $598 $ EXCLUSIVE 4 for 14 West Street, Ashburton Growfresh PHONE 03 308 5119 Number 8 Potted Vegetables Bird Netting A selection of premium Great for protecting vegetable plants. fruit trees and grape 100mm pot. vines from birds. 306475 UV stabilised. 4 x 2m. 291793 Offer valid from Saturday October 31st till Friday November 6th 2020 or while stocks last. 2 NEWS Ashburton Guardian Saturday, October 31, 2020 INSIDE TODAY Pushing the boundaries P5 Ready to get jumping Dancing skills tested P6 Breaking down barriers P7 Frightful night promised P8 A salute to our heroes P9 Off to Stewart Island P30 Peter has his say P19 CONTACTS Editor Matt Markham 03 307-7969 Journalists Jonathan Leask 03 307-7971 Sue Newman 03 307-7958 PHOTO HEATHER MACKENZIE 301020-HM-003 Adam Burns The Ashburton A&P show ring is looking good for the two-day showjumping event, starting today. Ashburton A&P showjumping convenor Annette Scott 03 307-7957 (middle), said the A&P Show may be a pared back version of its traditional self, thanks to Covid-19’s antics, but equestrian enthusiasm is still riding high, with over 450 entries competing across the weekend. Working like a well-oiled machine, event co-ordinator Chris Watson (left), course designer Roger Laplanche (second left), A&P president Peter Stewart (second right) and vice president Victor Schikker (right), had all the jumps set in place by yesterday afternoon. Scott said the jumping goes from 8.30am until the afternoon, both days and the public are welcome to come along and to watch some of the Heather Mackenzie best showjumpers in the country strut their stuff. “Entry is free. Families are welcome to bring a picnic and sit and enjoy the action,” she said. The eques- 03 307-7956 trians will not be the only ones on show today, also lining up in their respective competitions will be the dog trialers, the alpaca owners and the Highland dancers. Heather Chalmers District honours its volunteers 03 307-7900 After hours Neil Brown said. The civic awards are made in formally recognise this, Brown [email protected] By Sue Newman The recipients had all contrib- recognition of substantial ser- said. [email protected] uted as volunteers over many vice, usually of a voluntary na- The community honours Advertising years and their public service ture or beyond normal employ- awards were first made in 2017. Sales manager Sonia Gill Eight Mid Cantabrians were yes- was recognised with five mayor- ment, benefiting the Ashburton Winners of this year’s awards terday recognised by their peers al and three civic awards. District and its people. were: Call 03 307-7976 as citizens who had gone above The Mayor’s Award is made Nominations were called for Mayor’s Award: Darryl Nelson, advertising@theguardian. and beyond in giving their time for public service and is made the awards in August and each John Fleming, Maxine Hooper, co.nz and energy to their district. to people who have made a nomination was assessed by David McKimmie and Robin General enquiries Before family and friends, the sustained contribution to their a panel that included Brown, Kilworth. eight received acknowledge- community over more than 20 deputy mayor Liz McMillan and Civic Award: Judy Skevington, Call 03 307-7900 ment of their efforts as part of years. councillors Leen Braam, Stuart Yvonne Lister and Litter-Free [email protected] the Ashburton District Council’s It is the district’s highest hon- Wilson and Angus McKay. Ashburton. community honours awards. our, one that is rare and recog- Each nominee demonstrat- Photos and biographies Missed paper And each recipient was a more nises that a contribution must ed significant dedication to the of winners on pages 9 - 11 in 0800 ASHBURTON than worthy recipient, mayor be significant and sustained. district and it was a pleasure to today’s Guardian. (0800 274 287) Complete Local Care Since 1982 Saturday, October 31, 2020 Ashburton Guardian NEWS 3 Shutting ‘a tough decision’ ‘Yes’ to By Heather Mackenzie dying, [email protected] Life is full of tough decisions, but choosing to shut the doors on a successful business after ‘no’ to eight years is one of the tough- est Style Footwear owner Melis- sa Shimmin has ever made. “I love my business, I love the drugs shoes, and I am going to miss The euthanasia referendum has all my regulars. I had to set my passed the public vote, with 65.2 heart aside and put my busi- per cent voting in favour, but the ness brain on,” she said. cannabis question has 53.1 per A perfect storm of Covid-19 cent voting ‘no’ so far, prelimi- related issues caused Shimmin nary results show. to make her heart-breaking de- The number of voters who cision two weeks ago. chose ‘no’ in the End of Life For Shimmin the final straw Choice referendum reached 33.8 came when it became increas- per cent. ingly difficult to get a regular In the cannabis question, ‘yes’ supply of stock into the coun- received 46.1 per cent of the vote try. so far, compared to 53.1 per cent “Stock is stuck in ports for of ‘no’ votes. weeks, it’s a Dutch auction get- But with almost half a million ting stock on flights and when votes still to be counted, New Europe went into lockdown Zealand will need to wait until again, it all got too unreliable.” next Friday for full and final re- Shimmin said actually mak- sults. ing the decision was the hard- The eunthanasia question est part. That done she is now A perfect storm of Covid-19 related issues forced Melissa Shimmin to make the heart-breaking decision to close gathered a total of 1,574,645 ‘yes’ focusing on selling stock on her shop Style Footwear. votes and 815,829 ‘no’ votes so hand and only then on locking far. the door, loading her car and never know where or when I her eight year reign, it also ends cided it was their turn to look There were a total of 1,114,485 driving away for the last time. will pop up again,” the line of the shop that had its after the feet of Mid Canterbury ‘yes’ votes for cannabis reform, But before that happens she The closing down of Style beginnings in 1940. and they ran it until early retire- 167,333 short of the 1,281,818 has a myriad of regulars com- Footwear will not only leave a Smith’s Footwear as it was ment beckoned and Shimmin votes for ‘no’. ing in the door to say goodbye. big hole in the social calendar known back then was started stepped in. In a statement, Justice Minister The week has been filled with for some, but those with foot by George Smith, and was situ- When Shimmin took over Andrew Little said assisted dying hugs, goodbyes and yes, some issues will find it that bit harder ated on Burnett Street. the shop was in the Arcade, but remains illegal in New Zealand tears, she said. to get suitable footwear locally. Smith’s footwear was the kind the need for more room and a until November 6, 2021, and the “There are ladies who have “We specialised in orthot- of shoe store the whole family street frontage saw her move to Cannabis Legalisation and Con- been coming in here once a ic friendly shoes, catered for would trek into on a Friday Burnett Street six years ago. trol Bill will not be introduced as week for years. Whenever they those with extra wide feet night, then leave with brand Her last day is yet to be con- legislation by the Labour govern- are in town they call in for a and other shoe fitting issues,” new leather shoes and sensible firmed, but she said by the way ment this term. catch-up, I am really going to Shimmin said. slippers all round. her stock is flying out the door The End of Life Choice – or eu- miss that contact.” The closing of Shimmin’s In the mid 1980s George’s son in her closing down sale, it thanasia – referendum was based “But like I say to them, you shop marks not only the end of Kevin and his wife Gaylene de- won’t be too far away. on a member’s bill put forward by ACT leader David Seymour, with the aim of legalising a form of safe euthanasia for some people experiencing a terminal illness. The bill had already passed Vehicle thefts prompt police advice through Parliament, on the pro- viso that the referendum held at Officers have been working crime and you can minimise your vehicle, please do not leave By Matt Markham the election supports it. hard to investigate the offences, the risk of having your car sto- them in plain sight.” The recreational cannabis ref- [email protected] but they are also encouraging len or broken into by ensuring Another suggestion was that erendum is a different story. The people to do their bit to ensure vehicles are secured and locked people could look at purchasing government released a draft bill Police have issued advice to their property is safe and secure. and not left on the street where a steering lock device which is a for a law it would seek to pass residents of the Ashburton Dis- “Police are aware of a num- possible.” great deterrent or immobiliser depending on the result, but the trict following a spate of vehicle ber of vehicle thefts in recent With incident numbers high for vehicles.