Farmer wins Duvauchelle Show award in honour of long service

Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel (left) and show president Tania Kiely (right) congratulate Paul de Latour on winning the Banks Peninsula Recognition Award. Photo / David Hill

Paul de Latour was surprised to receive the Duvauchelle A&P Show's highest honour.

The Banks Peninsula farmer and show stalwart received the Banks Peninsula Recognition Award at the 151st annual show at the Duvauchelle Showgrounds in the Akaroa Harbour area on Saturday, January 11.

"It was a surprise. I thought when [show president] Tania [Kiely] rang me she was ringing to talk about doing the announcing" he said.

Mr de Latour and his wife Frances were once again at the show, in the announcer's box where they have served for more than a decade.

Over the years Mr de Latour has been an exhibitor, volunteer, committee member, show president in 1981 and then supervising marshal in the jumping ring for 21 years until 2005.

"I rode in the show when I was a kid. In those days you had to ride to the show to compete and then ride back afterwards.

"The show brings the peninsula together and the same people have been doing it for years.

"Families have been coming here for generations. They are a breed who understand the enjoyment of showing and just competing".

The de Latours farmed 1115ha at Lavericks Bay on Banks Peninsula, farming up to 4500 sheep and 950 head of cattle.

On February 22, 2011, the day of the Christchurch earthquake, the de Latours downsized, moving to the 148ha Lynhurst farm at Okains Bay, where they breed 200 Angus and Angus-cross cattle.

The couple's daughter and son-in-law, Harriet and Lloyd Chapman, have taken over the Lavericks Bay farm.

"My son-in-law is a far better farmer than I am, so we were quite lucky" Mr de Latour said.

"He left his own family farm to come here, so it meant we didn't have to make a decision.

"It takes determination, tolerance and resilience. It's not easy farming on the peninsula. We've been through droughts and snow and earthquakes is a new one for us".

Mr de Latour has been active in the community over the years including with the Le Bons Bay Cricket Club, the Banks Peninsula Racing Club, the Banks Peninsula Pony Club, the Akaroa Community Health Trust, as commodore of the Akaroa Cruising Club, president of Federated Farmers' Banks Peninsula branch and recently Akaroa and Bays Lions president.

He has also chaired the Banks Peninsula Pest and Weed Liaison Committee and is a member of the Canterbury Tb Free/Nait Committee, among other organisations.

This Saturday Mr de Latour will be on gate duty at the Banks Peninsula A&P Show at Little River, as part of the Akaroa and Bays Lions contingent.

- Central Rural Life