Backblocks postie went the extra mile

East Taranaki mourns Gerald Hammersley

RICHARD WOODD

Tribute: Strathmore Golf Club members, left, and NZ Post and Kiwibank Stratford staff formed a guard of honour at Gerald Hammersley's funeral.

The death of backblocks rural delivery contractor Gerald Hammersley is "a far bigger loss than the railway will be for most people out here", says one of his associates.

Mr Hammersley died suddenly in his sleep last Friday, aged 64.

He had been a Stratford-based NZ Post mail contractor for 15 years and was known for going far beyond the call of duty.

"It wasn't just a post and parcel delivery run, he was their main connection to the outside world," said Stratford mailroom officer Karen Stieller.

"He did the Whanga-Tahora run [RD 26/27], dealing with people living in a remote area who might not see anyone but the postie for days or even weeks.

"He did more than your average postie would do, and a lot of it wasn't charged for. He'd take washing machines, driers, fridges, lawnmowers for service. One day he picked up a dog, took it to the vet for surgery and delivered it back the next day."

His daily routine was to come to the mailroom at 6.30am and load up his ute and trailer. Then he'd call at B&G Engineering for courier pickups, and Sandford's Dairy for grocery orders, Nelson's Catering for food to the pub, kegs of beer, and bread and milk.

"One of his best mates Dick Bell who is in his late 70s, he'd take him out once a fortnight with his pushbike. He'd drop Dick at the top of the Whanga saddle and Dick would bike out until he met Gerry coming back," she said.

Kevin O'Brien of Te Wera who has been operating the adjoining RD 25 run for 43 years, said Mr Hammersley "made the back country a lot more livable for people. He'd cart anything and in an emergency you call him at the mailroom early and he'd go and pick things up for you.

"He was an owner driver and he built up a very good business. He was the housewife's best friend. When my wife Marlene was recuperating on crutches, he'd bring a Daily News into the house for her.

"He was a mechanic by trade and if you were trying to fix something he'd give you advice and even bring a special spanner out the next day. He was like a mobile Bill McAloon, and he was just as influential as Bill [former Whangamomona Garage owner].

He had a lot of know-how and was always willing to share it," Mr O'Brien said. "He's a bigger loss than the railway will be for most people out here."

His delivery run will be managed by relief drivers until the family decides whether to keep it going.

Mr Hammersley was farewelled at a large funeral service in the St Joseph's Church yesterday. NZ Post and Kiwibank staff, and the Strathmore Golf Club, formed a guard of honour.

- © Fairfax NZ News