Three New Life Members
12th December 2011Three Life Memberships of the Association were conferred during the 2011 Conference in Invercargill...
Dame Margaret Bazley
Towards the end of conference, President Ian Lindsay, spelled out an item of extraordinary business when he advised delegates that, in accordance with the UFBA rules, sufficient brigades had moved that Dame Margaret be made a Life Member of the Association. This move was supported by UFBA Board members and he was delighted to make the announcement. “Dame Margaret has been an ardent supporter of volunteers and the UFBA for the whole time she was a member, and Chair, of the Commission. And as the supporting fire brigades said in their letter recommending Life Membership, Dame Margaret quickly identified with the ethos and culture of volunteerism, enthusiastically supporting UFBA events and initiatives. She was often present at brigade and UFBA functions and never let an opportunity pass to thank and acknowledge volunteer firefighters.”
Mike Hall
The first award was made during the New Zealand Fire Service’s session on Day 2 when President Ian Lindsay surprised retiring National Commander/Chief Executive, Mike Hall, when he announced the award. “During your tenure of some 10 years you, personally, have led the organisation to modernisation and to mature as a national fire service,” said President Lindsay. “But always with special interest in, and support for, volunteers and our Association’s activities. Life Membership is our way of acknowledging this and to show it has been greatly appreciated. We wish you well in retirement.”
Immediate Past President Ian Lindsay
It was the task of incoming President, Chris Price, to confer Life Membership on the outgoing President, Ian Lindsay. Chris said Ian had served the organisation for many years with provincial affairs, challenges, helping organise conferences, plus his varied duties on the Executive and then attending Board meetings as he rose to and attained the office of President. He had just completed overseeing what had been a successful conference. It was a special honour for Ian to make Life Member at a conference held in and hosted by the province with which he has been associated over many years.