After a 26 year army career, Lieutenant-colonel Dean Gerling was officially released from his military role last Monday (January 9), and is enjoying bringing his leadership skills to his new role as Cromwell Golf Club manager.

Born and bred in Cromwell, Dean is very happy to be back living here with his wife, Beth, herself a retired Squadron Leader in the Air Force who was deputy director of psychology for the Defence Force, and their children, Rian (12) and Evie (10).

“In early 2020, we started thinking about where we wanted to settle; the kids are up to their fifth school change – it was time to prioritise them,” he said.  

One of Dean’s last roles as Royal NZ Artillery 16th Field Regiment Commanding officer, was to travel to the UK to train Ukrainian armed forces to operate L119 light field guns. 

In May 2022, 30 soldiers with a broad range of skills from gunner up to major were deployed to the UK to help train Ukrainian soldiers to defend their country against attacks by Russian forces.

The training was conducted exclusively on location in the UK. 

The New Zealand government has been clear that at no time, will any NZ defence force personnel enter Ukraine.

“There was lots of excitement across the unit with many looking forward to putting into practice what they had spent their career training for”, said Dean.

Marching at the late Queen’s funeral September 19 2022

Dean has another indelible memory of 2022: he was attending a conference in the UK in September that year, and as he was packing to return home, he got the news: Queen Elizabeth II had died at Balmoral, aged 96.

After Facetiming wife Beth to organise shipping over his required uniforms, the rehearsals began for what will be an lasting memory of marching at the late monarch’s funeral.

“I could feel I was part of a real moment in history”, he said.

When asked by The Central App, if he had any thoughts on Prince Harry’s just released memoir, Spare, he had a firm “no comment”.

Life now is enjoying everything Central Otago has to offer, including improving his golf.

Dean played a round with his 80 year-old father and his three brothers at Christmas time, but is reluctant to say who won.

“Dad’s name is on the board here at this club. Let’s just say he left with his head held high.”

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