Blessing and sod turning mark start of operations hub

SIX long-serving staff were given the honorary task of turning the first sods of dirt during a blessing ceremony at Quality Roading and Services on Monday.

The blessing, led by Pastor Chaans Tumataroa-Clarke, marked the start of physical works on QRS’s operations hub.

Staff with 20 years or more at QRS were given the distinction of turning the first sods of dirt at the Kaimoana Rd site. They were: Glenn Bradley, Thomas Perston, Stacey Pompey, Anthony O’Sullivan, Nick Murray and Phil Tipu.  Nick and Phil have both clocked up 33 years each.

Thomas Perston who has been there 20 years, says he enjoyed being part of the ceremony and was happy to help mark such a significant milestone. Anthony O’Sullivan, who has achieved 26 years with the company, agreed. “It was a really special day.”

Chief executive Nigel Pollock says it’s taken multiple organisations channelling their energy into a common purpose to get the operations hub off the ground.

“Today celebrates a shared vision from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Wairoa District Council, QRS, and others as we all work together to support growing the Wairoa community.

QRS received a $2 million loan from the Provincial Growth Fund in support of the operations hub.

After the blessing and the first sods had been turned, invited guests, Wairoa District Council staff, and other QRS staff were also given the opportunity to take up a spade and break ground. Particularly special was a line-up of 16 female QRS staff.

Physical work is now underway on the building which when completed will enable QRS staff currently housed in several old buildings to work more effectively and closer together. An ablution block and vehicle parking bay will be the first areas developed.

The operations hub is being built on the Kaimoana Rd-side of QRS’s current site and will encompass part of the current staff carpark. It’s expected that during the 18-month build QRS staff and up to 30 local and out of town sub-contracting staff will be involved.

Watch our photo montage from the day.

14 June 2021

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