Waihi mines Rescue Service Awards
The Mines Rescue team at Waihi was presented with long service awards at a recent dinner event attended by general manager Bernie O'Leary and Group HSE Advisor Ray Greenhill.
Sixteen awards were presented for long service ranging from 11 for five years through to one special award recognising 25 years’ service to the Waihi's Mines Rescue team.
Sixteen awards were presented for long service ranging from 11 for five years through to one special award recognising 25 years’ service to the Waihi's Mines Rescue team.
There was also another very special award made during the evening. As everybody will be aware, bogger operator Tipiwai Stainton lost his life in an underground accident on site in late July 2016. Tip was a member of the Waihi Mines Rescue team and it was his team mates who attempted to rescue him and were ultimately to recover his body.
The Tip Stainton Memorial Mere is a new award this year. It is presented to the person who, in the opinion of the team, has made the most effective contribution to mines rescue during the preceding 12 months. The team unanimously decided the recipient of the inaugural award. Peter Lowe, Senior Safety Advisor, was presented with award.
Members of Tip's whanau (family) and his partner attended the evening and spoke.
The Mines Rescue team’s efforts on the night of 28 July were also recognised. The team was presented with an award signed by OceanaGold Corporation CEO Mick Wilkes. Team Captain Josh Chapman and Vice-Captain Jed Moriarty were presented with certificates in recognition of their exemplary leadership. Part of the commendation for the team reads ‘Throughout the rescue effort, the entire team worked tirelessly and courageously. Their commitment to each other and the task were exemplary. As a unit they did all they could to save their colleague.’
A mere (pronounced mer-ay) is a flat club, often carved from greenstone (jade) and is regarded as a sign of respect and dignity. To be presented with a mere is regarded as a mark of significant honour, appreciation, respect and high standing. We have a word for this in Maori - mana.
The Tip Stainton Memorial Mere is a new award this year. It is presented to the person who, in the opinion of the team, has made the most effective contribution to mines rescue during the preceding 12 months. The team unanimously decided the recipient of the inaugural award. Peter Lowe, Senior Safety Advisor, was presented with award.
Members of Tip's whanau (family) and his partner attended the evening and spoke.
The Mines Rescue team’s efforts on the night of 28 July were also recognised. The team was presented with an award signed by OceanaGold Corporation CEO Mick Wilkes. Team Captain Josh Chapman and Vice-Captain Jed Moriarty were presented with certificates in recognition of their exemplary leadership. Part of the commendation for the team reads ‘Throughout the rescue effort, the entire team worked tirelessly and courageously. Their commitment to each other and the task were exemplary. As a unit they did all they could to save their colleague.’
A mere (pronounced mer-ay) is a flat club, often carved from greenstone (jade) and is regarded as a sign of respect and dignity. To be presented with a mere is regarded as a mark of significant honour, appreciation, respect and high standing. We have a word for this in Maori - mana.