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The Sun
Friday December 9, 2016
Business inbrief
Mail deliveries to resume NZ Post has resumed business deliveries within Kaikoura, and residents have been offered free redirection services for two months. Plans are being put in place to begin limited deliveries to other areas, accessing Clarence and Kekerengu by road from Blenheim, and accessing Goose Bay and Oaro by road from Christchurch.
Business planning Business mentor and business woman Sigrun Steinhagen of FocusMarketing.nz is holding a workshop next Wednesday from 9.30am until 12.30pm to help small business owners to focus on their marketing goals for next year with likeminded small business owners and solopreneurs. For more information email sigrun@ focusmarketing.nz or search for Fast Forward Your Biz on eventfinda.
Barry Holmwood has been appointed the new manager of Geoffrey T Sowman Funeral Directors.
New funeral manager
Bernadette Kirwan
MORTGAGE AND LENDING SPECIALIST
• Mortgage & Personal Loan Options with Qualified Advice • Kiwi Saver & Home Start Grant assistance for 1st (& sometimes 2nd) home buyers • Debt Management & Consolidation Plans
Phone 027 39 12345 Email Bernadette.kirwan@loanmarket.co.nz Free disclosure statements available.
Chris Black Insurance Broker Senior Advisor
Will your insurance protect you for a H&S Act Breach? For a no obligation Health & Safety check of your insurance, contact Chris.
Phone 03 579 1186 or 021 527 882 Email chris@rmageneral.co.nz • www.rmafinancial.co.nz
Personalised care supporting you through the incredible journey of pregnancy, childbirth & early weeks of parenthood Ava Zlotkowska-Eddy Registered Midwife BM m : 022 081 5412 e : avamidwife@outlook.com
Story and photo by Celeste Alexander The new manager for Geoffrey T Sowman Funeral Directors, Barry Holmwood, believes he has come over to the “right side of the hill” after leaving Nelson behind for his new role in Blenheim. Barry takes over from previous manager Lloyd Bush and is already thoroughly enjoying his time in Marlborough. “My first day here was actually my birthday and the staff had a welcome message written up on the board for me which was a nice touch. “The staff here and the
community have shown me warmth and friendship which has made me feel very welcome, so I thank everyone for that,” he says. Barry has worked in the funeral industry since 1986. Coming from a background as a timber machinist, he initially wanted to build caskets but instead was offered a role as a funeral director. He has both a Funeral and embalming certificate and a diploma in Funeral Service, and also was awarded the Noel McNee Memorial Award as the top practical student in embalming.
He did return to work as a machinist for a 13 year stint but found himself back working as a funeral director. “It’s the people you meet and families you are helping that make this so rewarding. It is a sad time for families who are grieving but it’s our role to guide and help them through the funeral process. “It’s afterwards that you get that warm feeling, knowing you’ve done a good job for the family,” he says. The decision to leave Nelson to settle in Marlborough was an easy one for Barry and his wife Evelyn. They had
wanted to build a home in Marlborough so when the opportunity arose to join the Geoffrey T Sowman team he was immediately interested. “It was t i me for me to spread my wings and take on a new challenge and really, Marlborough is the perfect setting for it,” he says. Outside of work Barry is an avid classic car enthusiast and owns a replica MGTF, has restored an old jet ski and has a motorcycle he’s working on. “Vehicles are my passion and I enjoy working on them and getting my hands dirty,” he says.
Door closes another opens Story and photo by Celeste Alexander Chris Mitchell closed the door to his office for the last time on Wednesday, leaving his position as branch manager for ASB Blenheim after nine years. He will be remaining in the finance industry in Blenheim. Experiencing mixed emotions about leaving, Chris says he’s excited for the journey ahead but sad to be saying goodbye to his “fantastic” ASB team. “I’m happy but I’m sad. I will miss my team and the customers. “ASB has been a great place to work and I wish the staff and customers all the best,” he says. Chris has worked in the industry for 34 years, 19 of those in Blenheim.
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He worked as branch manager at National Bank in Blenheim then moved over to ASB Bank. He says the decision to leave the bank was “wanting something slightly different”. “I’ve been in banks for 34 years and I’m turning 50 soon so I’m going back to my roots and having a change,” he says. Replacing Chris will be Anna O’Hagan who has worked with Chris for nine years. “Anna began as a customer service officer and has worked her way up to a personal broker specialist role. “We have shared an office for five years and I’m really pleased to see her achieving her goal of becoming branch manager. I know the team will be in great hands,” Chris Mitchell closed the door to his office he says. for the last time on Wednesday after finishing as branch manager at ASB Blenheim.
Wednesday saw the end of Phil Brown Motors in its current form, with the office being locked up for the final time that night. Phil intends to have a presence online as 42 years of contacts “don’t go away”. Jacks Tyres began moving in on Thursday.