Endless dedication to Federated Farmers high country business will come to an end for Bob Douglas in the next few weeks.
By the end of January the South Canterbury Feds stalwart will be waking each morning to a new life.
“And it will be one that will now mean when I go to the high country it will be as a tourist,” Bob said.
Phasing out of the job he has lived and breathed for the past two and half decades hasn’t been easy.
“I have been paid for three days a week for the last five years but doing five days’ work.
“It wasn’t until Angela (Johnston) started two years ago that it started to happen. One of her jobs is to make sure I don’t work Thursday and Friday.”
Johnston has been involved on the high country committee for two years as Bob’s understudy in readiness for his pending retirement.
“I’m not so sure I did that much that it needed to take two years to groom for but I do know I am leaving the job in very good hands,” Bob said.
“He doesn’t actually realise the huge amount of work he just got on and did for the high country and the workload he took on,” Johnston said.
That was reiterated by high country chairman Rob Stokes.
“Bob has unlimited knowledge of the many high country policies that are pretty daunting for most of us.
“Without this we would have lost a lot of battles.
“We wish him well and hope he keeps up with his after dinner steins,” Stokes said.
Bob was awarded the Federated Farmers provincial service award last year for his services as South Canterbury’s provincial secretary and treasurer.
The award recognises the unsung heroes of the provinces who year after year, decade after decade have contributed to the smooth running of the province and provided outstanding service.
Bob is known for schooling countless emerging local Federated Farmers leaders in meeting protocol, teaching them debating skills and the rights of the chair.
He stated his career with Feds on January 23 1995.
“I remember the date very well because it’s now the date on which the decision will be made for my final wind-down come January 2020.”
There’s very good reason, according to Bob, why that date hasn’t yet been set.
“There’s always things that you’re working on and half way through that I need to finish or at least leave in a state for someone to pick up.”
His career with Feds came more by default than good planning.
“I was working with the South Canterbury Power Board in auditing and communications for 15 years and it was in the middle of the restructure of the electricity industry.
“Things were happening and I thought perhaps it’s time I looked for something else as despite being offered a job I didn’t see a future for me in that industry.
“So I left and put my seven years’ experience on a mixed cropping farm, with all of 10 cows, in Yorkshire into freelancing for the High Country Herald and the South Canterbury Farm Review papers.
“Then the Feds job came up and in those days I was employed by South Canterbury Feds.”
But that changed in the late 90s and nationwide expertise was combined with provincial staff.
“I then became employed by the national board after actually starting as secretary-treasurer for South Canterbury.
“The Resource Management Act had just come in, there were changes to the Biosecurity Act and the Crown Pastoral Land Act came in.
“The job morphed very quickly from secretary-treasurer. I was working in policy and strategy and it just grew and grew and South Canterbury looked after high country farmers.
“I got involved by default and sitting in Timaru I was involved in regional policy work with the Waimate, Timaru and Mackenzie District Councils and also at times with the district councils within the high country including Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago.
“You could say I was the odd job man – where there was a gap I filled in until an expert came along.”
Bob has no regrets as he winds down into a well-earned retirement.
“I’ve always had an affinity to the rural sector and farming. In this job with Feds one does feel one is helping.
“There’s a lot being thrown at farmers at the moment and there’s a degree of misunderstanding but being able to meet with ministers and senior officials and being able to talk on the practicalities gives a great deal of satisfaction.
“Being the bridge between a theoretical solution and practical solution does give you a bit of a buzz.”
Humbled by the accolades bestowed by high country farmers of his organisational skills, people, negotiating and writing skills Bob likes to make sure things run smoothly.
“While there are all sorts of things I would miss – one of the best jobs in Fed Farmers is working with high country farmers.
“I have seen some of the best places in New Zealand and scenery that others have never seen.
“I will miss the high country and if I want to see it now I will have to go as a tourist.”
So what now?
“I do have a collection of golf clubs. I may join the local club.”
He also has a small property in the Otipua village near Timaru.
In his typical dry humour he said “I live on High Street, the only High Street in the country that is not tarsealed and goes nowhere.
“I do have three woolly lawnmowers, produce walnuts, hazel nuts and roasting chestnuts.”
He’s sometimes found delivering buckets of nuts to his neighbours and that could be a more frequent sometimes in the future.
“They’ll be saying here he comes with another bucket of nuts.”
He shares a love for travel with his wife Marilyn and their first trip in official retirement is already booked to Frankfurt in June.
