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Civic-mindedness ran within the household for Ashburton native Leslie John Leadley – who in typical farmer trend, most well-liked to keep away from the highlight.
The previous deputy mayor and longstanding district councillor, recognized for holding his personal opinions, died in Ashburton Hospital on New Yr’s Eve on the age of 83.
Recognized domestically as John, Leadley spent his life in Ashburton and devoted plenty of effort and time to creating the district a greater place to stay.
As a younger man, he ran a shearing enterprise along with his cousin and farmed combined crops and sheep on the household farm in Wakanui.
Leadley married his spouse, Lynette, on March 16, 1963. They’ve two youngsters, Heather and Paul, and eight grandchildren.
Household pal and fellow farmer Andrew Brown stated Leadley was good farmer who labored laborious for his household and the district.
He was one of many first farmers within the space to make use of irrigation and was a very good steward of the land.
“He was his personal man. He had his personal opinions and he held them.”
He put plenty of work into the council and will run a very good assembly, Brown stated.
The Leadleys, proper again to John’s grandfather, have been community-minded.
“Civic-mindedness runs within the household,” he stated.
Leadley rose by means of the ranks of Younger Farmers after which Federated Farmers.
He was secretary and chairman of each native teams and went on to be a part of the provincial government of Federated Farmers.
He was a powerful debater and bought concerned in Toastmasters and the native Rotarians and was president of the Ashburton Rotary Membership in 2014-15.
Leadley was a part of the Ashburton department of the New Zealand Coronary heart Basis, together with three years on the nationwide government, in addition to an energetic member of the Museum and Historic Society.
He was additionally a singer and member of the St David’s choir and helped out on the Tinwald Pony Membership, Brown stated.
Leadley spent virtually 1 / 4 century in native authorities, serving as a County Councillor for the Wakanui Ward from 1986 to 1989 after which on the Ashburton District Council from 1989 – 1992 and once more from 1995 – 2013. He was deputy mayor from 1998 – 2010.
He was additionally concerned with Safer Mid Canterbury for over 20 years, a trustee for the Mid Canterbury Rural Assist Belief, and wrote a month-to-month column for the Rural Guardian for a interval.
Previous councillor and former deputy mayor Darryl Nelson, who spent 15 years on the native council with Leadley and remained in contact afterward, remembers him as a “sensible type of fellow” with nice frequent sense.
“He got here up with options that did not value an excessive amount of and tried to get sensible options within the finances.”
Nelson remembers Leadley questioning the practicality of proposed work and “maintaining folks on their toes” with good questions.
‘He was good, sensible and sincere – somebody you may depend on.”
Nelson recollects Leadley used to say he had the letters QBE after his title.
It was one in every of his common sayings and stands for ‘certified by expertise’, he stated.
Ashburton mayor Neil Brown stated Leadley was very educated and was each favored and revered by his friends.
Brown labored with Leadley on the council from 2004 to 2013 and continued a detailed friendship with him after that.
“He was a terrific community-minded one who labored to do the most effective for the group.”
Leadley was awarded the Mayor’s Award for Public Service, the best civic honour bestowed by the council, in 2017
Brown stated a number of the standout options of Leadley’s profession included chairing the $17-million wastewater improve and the first-ever district plan over 42 days of hearings.
“It was a giant factor to do on the time,” Brown stated.
By Sharon Davis
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