A man who was at the helm of Kuranui College for 10 years and who, after retiring from teaching, played a leading role in preserving Greytown's history and heritage was farewelled this week. Peter Werry died at his Greytown home on July 16. Mr Werry became principal of Kuranui in 1977 uponthe retirement of foundation principal Sam Meads and remained in that role until 1987, a decade during which the school celebrated its 25th jubilee. He started his teaching career in Wellington and later taught in Mangakino, a town with historic links to Papawai Marae. Mr Werry became deputy principal of Central Hawke's Bay College and then principal of Kawerau College for seven years before his appointment at Kuranui. Retired Greytown teacher Dave McGibbon, who was deputy principal to Mr Werry, described his former boss as "a man of integrity"."I enjoyed working with Peter, and being his deputy. He was not a man who just set out to drive the ship, he was a team player." After retirement Mr Werry pursued his love of history, being deeply involved with the Greytown Heritage Trust and was a driving force behind fundraising for the refurbishment of the town's historic town hall. He was in Probus and as a South Wairarapa Rotarian spent many years helping to organise the Martinbrough Fair that has now become one of the best-known of its type in the southern hemisphere. Mr Werry was also an active member of the St Luke's Church congregation. His funeral service was held on Tuesday and was attended by former teachers and colleagues and by present Kuranui College principal Geoff Shepherd and the school's head boy, Aidan Crimp. Mr Werry is survived by his wife Alisoun and their four children.
