Keeping rural communities vibrant, staffing the orchards, planting trees, developing cycle trails and looking out for our elderly are just a few things two retiring long-term councillors have worked to achieve.

The myriad of topics and issues that come across the council table were reflected in the farewell messages this week from Shirley Calvert and Stephen Jeffery who have both served nine years on the Central Otago District Council.

Both have been involved from the get-go with Central Otago’s hugely successful cycle trails with Stephen (from the Teviot Valley) chairing the Central Otago Queenstown Trails Network Trust and Roxburgh Gorge/Clutha Gold Trails Company.

Shirley recalled that her motivation to join local politics came from a council initiative to create Cromwell’s first community plan. People wrote “big ideas on big sheets of paper” which eventually became 43 action points.  

One of those written by Shirley, she told council on Wednesday, was to investigate the feasibility of extending the Otago Central Rail Trail. When this was later raised, however, she and fellow Cromwellian Janeen Wood were laughed at for suggesting it navigate the inhospitable bluffs of the far side – across the lake from the easy terrain of the Cromwell Gorge roadside. 

Economic development to ensure communities attracted new families and retained services was always a key focus for Stephen across his projects, cycling or otherwise.

He said it had always been about “giving back” and helping develop prosperity across Central Otago.

“I have always had an interest in economic development, as a business person it’s something that rang my bells.”

Stephen, who is also a long serving member on the Teviot Valley Community Board, said it had been a privilege to represent that area.

Managing growth and keeping the community informed was a focus of Shirley’s work, as a councillor and former Cromwell Community Board member, who penned a column in a local paper to encourage people’s interest.

She had enjoyed being involved in a range of projects from upgrading Cromwell’s wastewater system to enhancing Lake Dunstan and working to ensure a plan was developed to provide for senior housing.

Mayor Tim Cadogan thanked the pair and his whole council for their efforts during what had been a challenging term.

A newly elected council will sit around the table for the first time on October 26, following the October 8 elections.