Business Rural Winter 2021

| 53 Receiving QSM a case of déjà vu Colin Gibbs and wife Marilyn with Governor General Dame Patsy Reddy and Sir David Gascoigne at the investiture ceremony in Wellington. Richard Loader MEAT & WOOL » Colin & Marilyn Gibbs Viable pastoral farm the goal • from page 52 “Firstly, I want to run the additional land with no extra staff, other than some casual labour. That’s how I can justify spending the additional $50,000 on infrastructure, knowing that in eight years time I will walk away with nothing from it. It’s quite a simple calculation. A full time staff member now costs somewhere between sixty and seventy thousand dollars each year and over eight years that is more than half a million dollars.” W hen Wakefield sheep and beef farmer Colin Gibbs received his Queen’s Service Medal at Government House in Wellington in May this year it was a case of déjà vu. Colin attended the same award ceremony when his father, Phil, received the very same award twenty-seven years ago. “It was something fairly special,” says Colin. “It is certainly rare that two people from the same family have received QSMs.” Presented by the Governor General, Dame Patsy Reddy, Colin’s award recognises his substantial services to both agriculture and the community over a lifetime. “It’s a team effort though. Marilyn and my family have been very supportive and involved through- out.” Colin and Marilyn have very recently celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary together — fifty- four years of teamwork and, Marilyn adds, growing up together. It is almost easier to ask what Colin has not been involved in when reviewing the citation for his award, such is the diversity and breadth of a lifetime’s work on and off farm. “I’ve enjoyed helping others and there’s always a helping hand needed whether it’s taking trees off fences after a storm or going to talk to people to help them through their situation.” Among the many industry organisations Colin has been involved in are Young Farmers (YFC), Feder- ated Farmers and the Nelson A&P Association, of which he was President 1979 and 1980 Through Shearing and Wool handling competi- tions Colin was elected Top of the South and National delegate, playing a major part in the formation of its constitution. As national delegate he once chaired a national meeting. “I’ve represented Federated Farmers on the Nelson Acclimatisation Society and the transitional committee to Fish & Game to form Nelson Marlbor- ough Fish & Game.” With funding from Westpac, Colin helped establish the Monitor Farm Programme before Beef and Lamb took it over, and also helped found the Rural Support Trust twenty years ago, serving as Chairperson for thirteen years. A life long involvement in dog trials follows a family tradition, holding the positions of Club Chair- man or Secretary for 34 years since 1971. Colin’s community services includes involvement with the cricket club, and he has been Chairman of the Wakefield Community Council. His involvement continues as Trustee. Sister City exchanges with Japan, China and Eureka in Northern California has seen Colin and Marilyn travel to and host tours showcasing New Zealand’s farming life. And who better to do so? Colin is the fourth generation to farm the land that was settled by his great-grandfather James Gibbs in 1848. “I’ve lived on the farm and in the same house, which was built in 1904, all my life. There is pride that your ancestors’ footprints are fossilised in the land, and you do think about that — the piece of land that was started by James and then down to Albert, then to Phil, then me and now down to my son Nigel.” While Colin still owns the land, Nigel and his wife Tracy own the stock and succession is being worked through. Not showing any signs of slowing down at 76, Colin says he gets up in the morning and says ‘What are we doing today boy?” Colin getting sheep ready at Lone Oak farm for the Waimea Sheep Dog Trials. Pleased to support Simon Davies Prior to leasing the block Simon had one full time staff member and because he had a number of off-farm roles, Simon was at best half a labour unit. Having relinquished some of his off-farm obligations, Simon is now able to spend more time on his farm. Simon explains that his elderly neighbour has expressed a view that when he dies and the farm sold, conversion to forestry is not what he wants. Bringing the farm back to top-notch condition will help to secure it as a viable pastoral farm. Mark: 021 454 000 Anne: 021 454 731 Phone: (03) 526 7004 Email: mark.carey@xtra.co.nz 28 Holdaway Road, RD2 Upper Moutere, Nelson 7175 www.markcareycontracting.co.nz For all land development, cultivation, direct drilling, re-grassing, mulching, maize planting, round and medium, square hay and baleage production TRS Nelson 28 Appleby Highway, Richmond 03 544 5936 tractorrepairs.co.nz Proud to support Tracy & Nigel Gibbs