Lachie Crowle Photo supplied

Les and Vicky Topping moved to Cromwell in 1976. Les worked on the Clyde Dam Project for the next 10 years developing his engineering and project management skills. These skills were used on the Cromwell Rotary and Lions Clubs house build fundraising project, Lot 47. Les was able to organise the many businesses that supported the project including Myer Cruden, C Hughes & Associates, Hire King, Telfers Electrical, NES Central, Steven White Electrical and Otago Electrical Services 

A lucky recipient of the business communities hard work for Lot 47 is Lachie Crowle. Lachie’s father helped with the electrical work on Lot 47 so Doreen Evans was excited to see an application from his son. Lachie is studying First Year Health Science at Otago University with the aim of completing a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery over the next 6 years. Lachie aspires to be an orthopaedic surgeon specialising in sports medicine.Lachie has play representative hocky for Central Otago, Otago and Southern since he was 7 resulting in being selected in the NZ under 18 hockey camp.

Vicky Topping was the St John Station Manager for Cromwell in the days when voluntaries manned the station. In 2007 Vicky and Alan Markby fought for a permanent paramedic to be employed for day duty with a volunteer.  Nights and weekends were still covered by volunteers. In 2009 a second paid paramedic was employed resulting in cover for seven days of the week.

Vicky said today Cromwell relies on trained volunteers to cover night shifts. However, such volunteers are in short supply resulting in many shifts not being covered. Doreen Evans was surprised to learn there was not a 24/7 St John service in Cromwell. After the community provided St John with funding for their new building Doreen thought St John would have ensured there was 24/7 service to support the community that has supported St John. 

Remember there is a fund available to assist anyone to attend First Aid Courses.Vicky has organised Essential First Aid Courses (8 hours) to be held on 27 and 28 June, 25 and 26 July as well as First Aid Revalidation course (6 hours) on 4 July. Please contact Vicky on vickytopping@xtra.co.nz or 021 328 991. Alternatively, call Doreen Evans on 027 277 0972 or email doreen.evans@southernpeaklaw.co.nz.

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