Helen Campbell has been living in Invercargill since 1967 and witnessed the transformation of the city.
She believed many of the changes were during Sir Tim’s mayoralty and she wanted to do something to acknowledge the work he had done. Sir Tim was the longest-serving mayor in New Zealand.
Last year he hung up his mayoral chains after 24 years, following unsuccessful bids for the mayoralty and a council seat.
"I was fully aware of the outstanding work he has done for 24 years and I thought I would not be waiting for something to happen.
"I wanted to do something to acknowledge his work and to share this with the new generations — it is about building a chapter in the city’s history."
Mrs Campbell then remembered she had interviewed the former mayor 15 years ago and thought it was a good place to start.
"It is a great interview — a cracker. He reflects on his life and what he has given to Southland."
Mrs Campbell then approached a range of community organisations and schools throughout the region with the interview and asked them to contribute with messages, drawings and photos for the former mayor.
"What I was trying to do is to get the children involved because they will not be aware of what Sir Tim has done — but he has been a crucial part of this city. Taking all the politics aside, it is something to remind him of the good stuff."
All the replies were collected and put into a tribute book which will be given to Sir Tim in a ceremony on March 3. While the venue was still to be confirmed, she said Sir Tim had already confirmed his presence.
Along with the interview, messages and drawings, the tribute book would also have pictures of important moments of his career.
