Ashburton community pays tribute to shooting victims

People pay tribute to the those killed in a shooting in Ashburton one year ago. Photo / Ashburton Guardian

Friends, colleagues and community members gathered this morning to mark one year since two women were killed and another was seriously injured when they were shot at the Ashburton Community Link.

Led by Winz staff, people paid tribute to Peggy Noble and Leigh Cleveland, who were killed on September 1, 2014, at a wreath laying ceremony outside the former Work and Income offices on Cass St.

A Maori blessing began the ceremony, followed by a prayer and two minutes silence.

Tears flowed freely among those who had called the women colleagues and friends, as one-by-one they placed floral tributes at the front door of what was once a community hub.

Rangitata MP Jo Goodhew said the anniversary would always be tough for those whose lives changed on that day.

"This community has rallied, they've pulled together," she said.

"I've been just absolutely heartened by the way people have looked out for each other, it's absolutely fantastic that they've done so."

Speaking of the families, Ms Goodhew said they would never have expected their loved ones not to come home.

"This was something that really hit this community hard, and the individuals hard, but as we mark the one year anniversary, we will need to continue to support those people because it's a very long road."

Ministry of Social Development chief executive Brendan Boyle travelled to Ashburton to be with staff on what proved to be an emotionally charged morning.

Some staff members visited the grave of Peggy Noble this morning, which Mr Boyle described as "an emotional time".

The Ashburton Winz office, now located beside the Ashburton police station, closed for the morning. Winz staff across the country observed a two minute silence at 9.52am.

Canterbury staff had been brought in to provide support and cover for local staff, Mr Boyle said.

The tragedy sparked an overhaul of processes and procedures at Winz, which has seen an increase in violence and threats during the past year.

"Apart from the awful shock on the day, it made us clearly look pretty closely at our security arrangements, think differently about the kinds of threats that are posed," he said.

"We had thought, as many organisations do, that is kind of the worst thing that could happen. In reality, it's almost impossible to be able to put those kinds of protective measures in place for an event as extreme as that and still operate in an environment where we still need face to face contact."

"We've been very clear since that event that we will not tolerate threats."

Family members of the two women were invited to the ceremony but had chosen to take part in private arrangements, he said.

"We've continued to support the families right the way through," he said.

Russell John Tully has been charged with the murder of the two women, as well as the attempted murder of Lindy Curtis and Kim Adams.

- Ashburton Guardian