December 16 2014
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Council stalwart bids farewell by Joanne Speechly
While Charlane White has never applied for a job, she has spent four-and-a-half decades serving the residents of the Kaipara as the face at the counter of successive local authority offices.
Briar has the right spirit
Briar Lomas is up for a challenge on the high seas …
P3
Youngsters make radio waves in Mangawhai
Children at the local school run their own radio station …
P7
The year that was
Take a look back at the locals who have been making the news this year …
P8
On the eve of her retirement this month, Charlane reflected on 45 years as a customer services consultant, from the days of pen and ink on paper to hightech electronics. “I was still at school when the county clerk rang up and offered me a job,” says Charlane. “His wife was assistant principal at the high school and recommended me, so I was employed as office junior for Hobson County Council. “Back then, our office was located where Munns Flooring is today and I remember moving to the new building in 1966 — it seemed so big. There were many other changes too and the new technology has been a big learning curve. “When I started, we had to hand calculate the rates and there were no electric typewriters. When computers were brought in, a colleague and I were sent to Auckland for training — they said, ‘now everybody, turn on your computers’ and we just sat there — we didn’t have a clue what to do.” Charlane’s initial employment lasted nine years, before she and husband, Gordon, decided to start a family. They have three sons, Christopher, Bevin and Reagan, and eight grandchildren. When Reagan was 18 months old, Charlane went back to work for a ‘few weeks’ to cover for another staff member but was asked to stay on. “I was really lucky — a lady came in to help with the children and Gordon was a milk tanker driver and the shift
Charlane White who is retiring after 45 years of serving the public
work meant he could help out on certain days.” Charlane says she and Gordon are now looking forward to spending more time with their grandchildren — six in the Kaipara and two in Taupo. “Everybody’s trying to push us off on a world trip and suggesting this or that but I’m going to be quite happy to just relax for a while. Gordon’s family
is in Australia, so we will most likely do some trips over there and we’re keen to do the top part of the South Island but the immediate plan is to just potter around and spend some time with the grandkids. “I’ve worked in customer services for a long time and I will miss seeing the staff everyday and meeting new people.”
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