Ohakune Promotions Officer appointed

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 3, 21 June 1983, Page 5

Ohakune Promotions Officer appointed

The recently appointed Promotions Officer for Ohakune is Mr Wayne Dashfield. He commenced duties officially on Tuesday 14th June. At present he is being employed on a government P.E.P. scheme for 6 months, but hopefully this will be extended to a further 6 months, by which time it is expected that the position will become self-supporting.

Wayne is 37 years ot" age, single and at present boarding in Raetihi awaiting suitable accommodation to become available in Ohakune. Prior to arriving in Ohakune, he spent most of his life in Wanganui, where he was born. Following 3 years secondary education at Wanganui Technical College, he worked for 18 months at the Imlay Freezing Works in Wanganui. "A bit of quick money for my first car!" This was followed by 5 years service in the New Zealand Post Office. ' f In May 1968, he went to Australia for some 8 mon§s where he worked in such ^^nverse occupations as a night patrolman for a security firm, storeman, porter in a professional women's club and as a builders labourer. On his return to New Zealand, he secured a job with the Wanganui City Council as a treasury clerk.

In 1974) when he was offered the position of driving and managing a taxi business the challenge of organising still existed. He instigated the idea of sponsorship for the Wanganui Taxi Golf Club's annual Golf Tournament, thus putting the Golf Club in a very healthy financial position. He went out and canvassed taxi associated business for contributions, and was surprised at the great response. In 1979 he sold his taxi business. Since he has returned to promotional work he was associated with the Four Seasons Theatre in Wanganui, in a successful bid to rekindle interest in the theatre. This was done by attracting new members and floating fund-raising schemes for sponsorship etc. . More recently he has been involved in fundraising for the new indoor swimming pool complex to be built in Wanganui.

He sees a great potential here in Ohakune. Already, he has organised two musical entertainment evenings, but final decisions are dependant upon permission being granted by the committee. He is at present renovating an office in the old Jenco building, in Clyde Street, and would appreciate residents calling in with suggestions etc. He is looking forward to his stay in Ohakune, where he hopes to involve himself with the community fully. He is working for the benefit of the community and is looking for the supportive backing from the residents. As he has found in the past, there can be hours of work involved in the organisation of community projects.