Billy ready to serve community as JP

JOYCE WYLLIE

A Justice of the Peace (JP) carries an important role in the community, and a new JP has been appointed in Golden Bay. Kimberley (Billy) Kerrisk was recently sworn in at Nelson District Court.

Becoming a JP is quite the process, to assure the community that the nominee has passed the ultimate test of being a person of good standing. Nominations for appointments are only accepted from the Member of Parliament (MP) for the electorate where the nominee resides.

Nominees must be New Zealand citizens or residents; listed on the electoral roll; must have a good command of both written and spoken English; must be confident computer users; must declare all criminal convictions and not be bankrupt; and letters of support are required from two community groups where the nominee does volunteer work.

The process involves a nomination form, interview, and provisional approval by the Associate Minister of Justice. Following that is face-to-face and online training, and an online test. Once an application has been signed off by the GovernorGeneral, the new JP is sworn in by a district court judge. This entire process could take at least 12 months. JPs are appointed under the Justice of the Peace Act 1957, the Justice of the Peace Amendment Act 2017, and swear an oath to bear allegiance to His Majesty the King and his heirs.

Being a JP is a big responsibility. There is also an option for selected JPs to train to become a Judicial JP, which involves a different set of skills, more in-depth training, and understanding of the judicial system and the Acts it operates under.

Billy chose to become a JP so that she “might give back to the Golden Bay community, which supported her so well since she moved here in 1991”.

She is well-known in the Bay and has worked in kiwifruit, on dairy farms, and in cafés. But she said that it was her job at the Bainham Store, when Lorna Langford caught her up on the history, the area, the people, and their stories, that gave her “a sense of belonging”.

During her time in Golden Bay, Billy has been involved in a long list of organisations: Rural Women New Zealand; Collingwood Volunteer Fire Brigade, for five years; she helped at pony club; was a founding member of Collingwood Squash Club, fundraising to build the courts; involved in Plunket and then Playcentre for 10 years; Home and School Association at GBHS for years while her three daughters were there; A&P Show steward and pony judge; and has appeared on stage with the drama society in various musicals and plays. She is regional co-ordinator for the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ, supporting Pink Ribbon appeals and initiating her “Let’s Get Plastered for Breast Cancer” project.

Now, in addition to all that community involvement, Billy is ready and qualified to serve as JP. This means she is registered to witness signatures, take declarations, certify copies of original documents, and swearing or affirming of affidavits. Because Billy works all over the Bay, she is available in both Collingwood and Tākaka. Kimberley Kerrisk’s name will now be added to the JPs listed on the last page of our Golden Bay phone directory.

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PERSONAL NOTICES / Pānui ake

BARRY Pomeroy and family wish to extend their thanks to all who gave flowers, cards, well wishes and donations after the loss of Gae. A big thank you to Joyce Wyllie, Erihapeti McPherson, Marsden House Funeral Services, and the ladies from the Collingwood Tavern. And thank you to all who came to celebrate Gae’s life with us at the funeral, your presence was felt and made it a perfect farewell for a “Lovely Lady.”

PUBLIC NOTICES / Pānui a whānui

GB Animal Welfare Society Inc (ex-SPCA). Ph Carol Wells 525 9494, 8am-5pm weekdays.

GOLDEN Bay Grey Power will be at FreshChoice on Tuesday 28 March for membership subscriptions.

ALCOHOLICS Anonymous, open meeting, all welcome. Thursdays 7pm, 94 Commercial Street. Hall behind the Catholic Church. Ph 0800 229 6757.

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Mohua Golden Bay

$8,000 Community Grant 20th Round

The RSC Community Grant is again open to applicants. The purpose of the grant is to distribute $8000 biannually to cultural, philanthropic, charitable, sporting or educational organisations or any other purpose that benefits the Golden Bay community or a section of it.

Applications Close: Midday, Friday 31st March 2023

Application forms to be collected from the Country Store Mon-Fri: 8am – 5pm & Sat: 9am – 12pm Contact Victoria 929 7519 admin@rsc.co.nz

Early Deadline Alert

ADVERTISERS:

The GB Weekly Easter edition will be delivered a day early, on Thursday 6 April That means the deadline is also a day early: MONDAY 3 APRIL at 12pm

It is very important that you have your ads to us by 12pm on the Monday as we will not be able to accept any late ads due to print deadlines. Hop to it!

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