Last trip past fire station for longest-serving volunteer

Soon after the Arrowtown fire siren’s string of wails finally quieted on Thursday afternoon, a 1957 Land Rover Series 1 took the town’s longest-serving volunteer firefighter past the station for the last time.

Forming a guard of honour as James "Jimmy" McKinnon Shaw was driven past were members of the Arrowtown, Queenstown and Frankton volunteer fire brigades, and Queenstown police.

Mr Shaw (75) died suddenly at Lakes District Hospital on July 14.

He was farewelled during a service at the Arrowtown Athenaeum Hall on Thursday; pallbearers were members of his brigade.

Arrowtown Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Murray Forward said Mr Shaw had been an active member of the brigade until recently, making him one of the oldest fire volunteers in New Zealand and, given his 55 years’ service, one of the longest-serving.

Born in Queenstown, Mr Shaw attended Arrowtown School then Dunedin’s John McGlashan College, returning to Arrowtown as a teenager to complete his mechanic’s apprenticeship.

He planned to work in the family garage and transport business, Shaw’s Garage.

But on June 6, 1967, having completed his apprenticeship, Mr Shaw joined the Arrowtown fire brigade, aged 20.

Just two years later he was appointed CFO.

He is believed to have been the youngest CFO in the country at that time.

Mr Shaw remained CFO for 26 years, active as the brigade went from attending about a dozen callouts a year to becoming first-responders, as well as attending medical incidents, rural fires and rescues.

Mr Forward, a fire volunteer of 24 years, said Mr Shaw was honest, quick-witted, a highly respected mentor and "lived for the fire brigade".

"For a man to do 55 years’ commitment to a fire service and a community is a huge undertaking.

"You couldn’t get a more rock-solid guy that was just always willing to help, and always willing to share his knowledge."

In 2017, Mr Shaw was awarded the double gold star for 50 years’ service, which Mr Forward said "is nothing to be sneezed at".

Latterly, Mr Shaw’s role within the brigade had been very much one of community service - Mr Forward said he was passionate about ensuring elderly community members had working smoke alarms in their homes.

‘Fire and Emergency New Zealand group manager Roger Smith said Mr Shaw’s record of service stood out not just for his long involvement with the Arrowtown brigade, but his dedication to the safety of the local community.

"He will be remembered affectionately and greatly missed within [Fenz]."

tracey.roxburgh@scene.co.nz