The seat that was dedicated to Ian Renall. PHOTO/CHELSEA BOYLE
By Chelsea Boyle
A pair of stylishly-curved seats have been installed at the end of Holloway St as a tribute to all of Carterton’s hardworking volunteers and to the late Ian Renall.
Allan Renall welcomed everyone on behalf of the Carterton Lions Club to the unveiling of the two seats yesterday afternoon.
He said the project, sparked by Gail Harland’s “single light bulb moment” some seven or eight years ago, while on the Keep Carterton Beautiful Group, was a long-time in the making.
“Gail took the idea of a swirl seat to her committee, who had Ian Renall design a template in cardboard.
“Initial costings proved beyond their team at the time and the project was put on hold.
“Another nail was put in the coffin when Ian died and the template was put in the skip and sent to the tip, as no-one knew what it was at the time.”
But Ian Renall had left a legacy to our club in his will and it had been looking for a suitable project to come along, he said.
A single seat looked “lonely” and “we decided that two identical seats would look good, mirroring each other”.
The council sponsored the second seat, and Carterton District Council chief executive Jane Davis came up with the idea of calling it the “Volunteers Seat”.
“Along the way, there have been a number of people who have helped make these seats possible,” Mr Renall said.
“This project is the perfect example of an idea becoming a reality with the support and drive of a team of dedicated citizens.”
Carterton Mayor John Booth said it was “wonderful” to see a seat dedicated to Ian Renall.
“Ian was a valued member of our community, often dedicating his time and vision to his beloved town, through many volunteering roles, hence, fitting that one of these seats has been established in his memory, and recognised here today.
“I thank the Carterton Lions Club, and Allan Renall in particular for your tremendous work bringing the seats to reality, your vision and hard work has made it possible, and I am sure Ian would be incredibly chuffed to see them looking so fantastic and keeping Carterton beautiful.”
The second seat was dedicated to all the volunteers within the Carterton community, Mr Booth said.
“You all frequently and generously donate your time and energy to local community projects and groups, providing remarkable service to our town and its people.
“It is what makes Carterton such a wonderful place to live.
“Whatever the role you play as a volunteer within our town, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
“You are what makes our town tick and are the true backbone of our community.”
John McNamara and Mabel Smith unveiled the seats on behalf of the Carterton Lions Club.
