Editorial: Legacies - big and small

OPINION: This is going to be a week filled with legacies.

Tomorrow the nation marks 150 years since the first shots were fired in a virtual civil war that shaped a young country's future and left a legacy of pain, bitterness and loss that is still felt by many today.

As readers will discover over the next few days, the echoes of that fighting are still heard today in the streets of Waitara, where those first shots were discharged. They are felt in the anguish over leasehold land and the measures used to secure it in the first place; they are heard in the corridors of power as the nation's Government works to resolve issues not only in Taranaki but around the country, which was consumed by the violence of nation-building for a decade.

But that is for another day.

Legacies are not only created at the point of a musket or taiaha; they are not merely the domain of tribal chiefs, military leaders or prime ministers with grand plans for protecting their people or advancing their nation's causes.

Sometimes they can be provided by passionate individuals.

Garry Sharpe-Young was one such individual.

Mr Sharpe-Young, who died suddenly at his home last Friday at the age of 45, played a key role in helping to create and shape the brand that is Taranaki, and more particularly New Plymouth. Now, because of Mr Sharpe-Young's incredible work as events business development manager at the New Plymouth District Council, when people think of our region, they are likely to move beyond the traditional image of the mountain, the gardens and coast and think of big events, Elton John, Westlife and Fleetwood Mac. Of a little province that seems to defy the odds again and again and beat bigger, slicker centres to huge acts and big names.

When they think of us now they no doubt think of vibrancy, energy, success.

And much of that comes down to the legacy left by Garry Sharpe-Young, who traded on his experience and name within the entertainment industry to attract major and, it must be said, unlikely names to a small provincial city of barely 70,000 people.

Mr Sharpe-Young's death is a tragedy for his family, friends and colleagues, and our thoughts are with them.

His loss will be felt keenly, but his legacy will be lasting. Mr Sharpe-Young may be gone but the work he did to put our region's name in front of the world's best performers and promoters will ensure our success for many years to come.

So next time you are enjoying a drink before a sold-out show at the TSB Bowl of Brooklands, raise your glass and give thanks to the man who made so much of it possible – Garry Sharpe-Young.

- © Fairfax NZ News