Like most candidates, there’s a fair amount of imposter syndrome coupled with the fledgling desire to lift society from its base rather than the failed concept of "trickle down".
There was also a nagging belief that I owed society and needed to give something back.
I can’t describe the immense pride I had in being a councillor, I made some friends and allies but also unnecessarily tended to "kick the can in" when it suited.
There were a few early successes, like saving the DEKA store from closing, a march over the bridge to protest the school bus closures and a contaminated property that eventually a handful of us turned into the Balclutha skatepark.
They were simpler times, the battles sprang up and we fought them instantaneously. Back then. it seemed if you slugged away, you could get results.
After nine years and elections looming, Dad terminal with cancer and Mum busting her leg, things stacked up quickly so I decided to put family first and stood down.
It was the right decision and the wrong decision all at once.
Deep down, I was like a bear with its foot in a trap, a political comeback was inevitable.
I owe a lot to the support I got from family and friends, Mum’s "Winston Churchill" speeches still ring in my ears, always challenging me and Ally has always been my rock.
Winning the mayoralty in 2010 was a blast, I am eternally grateful to all those that have supported me.
The three-year break before becoming mayor allowed me to recalibrate and knock a couple of rough edges off.
It also gave me a chance to advance proposals that addressed the issues of the time. People forget that back then our population was in terminal decline — our youth were leaving in droves, there was erosion of social cohesion with the closure of several community groups, banks were withdrawing support and there was a disconnect with many hundreds of potential jobs not being filled in our district.
This was the foundation of our "Living and Working Strategy", focused on lifting the base and maximising the few advantages we had. I must give special mention here to chief executive Steve Hill, who galvanised the hopes and dreams into a working strategy that has been the cornerstone of our district’s goals for over a decade.
The successes we had would never have happened without the support of our community champions and it is the defining privilege of my time to befriend and be inspired by those jewels we have among us.
Clutha is so lucky to have our volunteers and contributors, and we are all in their debt.
Along with supporting our community champions I am proud of council’s associated initiatives, like assisting over 850 young locals into work; holding a 4% rate cap for over a decade; driving our investments to fund projects, stimulate growth and instil pride in our district; our various housing initiatives as well as establishing structure and cohesion for communities to flourish.
The support of my colleagues to co-chair the South Island Councils for a decade is a life privilege — the insight and experiences were beyond anything this old shearer ever thought possible.
To be the only mayor to chair a government working group on Three Waters, to lead zone six, the South Island and then the country, gave me a unique insight and a challenge like no other I’ve ever experienced.
In closing, like most councils, the cards have fallen badly for us in recent times with Three Waters: this is still the greatest threat facing New Zealand.
I leave knowing in my heart that I have stayed true to myself and always put the best interests of Clutha first.
I want to thank Ally, and also the support of my family and friends. To my councillors, I have been immensely proud of the honour and dignity you have always displayed, with cohesion and respect. To Steve and the wider organisation, thank you for your tireless efforts to do the best by our district.
To all of Clutha, thank you for the privilege of being your mayor — onwards and upwards.
