Geoffrey Barr and Penelope Kerr have joined the Justice of the Peace (JP) ranks in Ashburton.
Their ceremony, with presiding judge Dominic Dravitzki, was on Monday in the Ashburton court house.
The ceremony took place in front of friends and family, along with some of the current JPs.
There are currently 65 JPs in Mid Canterbury.
With growing number of requests for the services of JPs in Mid Canterbury, the Ashburton JP Association works to find suitable people to be approached to take on this volunteer role.
Geoffrey Barr was affirmed as a JP.
He, along with his wife Rebecca, have lived in central Ashburton for the past five years where Barr works for St John Hato Hone.
Their four children have all grown up in the district and attended Hampstead and Methven Primary schools, Ashburton Intermediate, Mount Hutt and Ashburton colleges.
Three children are still at school, and one works and lives at Rolleston.
Barr was born in Christchurch before moving to Wellington when school-aged, where he attended schools in Newlands.
At 15 years of age, he returned to Christchurch going to work in the building industry with family members.
He and Rebecca moved to Staveley to raise their young family.
Barr worked on a dairy farmer for 12 years, prior to moving to Ashburton to work with St John.
He is actively involved in the community as a member of the local Fire and Emergency team, a Mid Canterbury rugby referee, with school sports events, the local netball club, and various committees.
Barr enjoys spending time with family and friends and will often be found travelling, out running, fishing and watching the children play sport.
Penelope Kerr was sworn in as a JP. Seventeen years ago, she and her family moved to Ashburton from Wellington in search of a lifestyle change, new opportunities, and to be closer to extended family.
She and her husband have four adult children, three attended Ashburton College after local primary school.
They have all left home now and have completed, or are completing, their tertiary studies.
Kerr feels lucky to have granddaughters who keep her on her toes.
She felt it was easy to feel connected to the Mid Canterbury community through her children’s school and after-school activities, as well as through her own work in a local primary school.
Over the years, she has been involved in a range of community groups and committees, and volunteering has been a meaningful way for her to give back.
She is honoured to serve as a JP and looked forward to continuing to support the Mid Canterbury community in the new capacity.
Ashburton JP president Alistair Morrison said the while being a JP was not a glamour role it did bring personal satisfaction to be carrying out the work.
Dravitzki said that taking the oath of a new JP was part of his judicial role he really enjoyed.
He also said that recognising JPs and their willingness to give back to their community was important.
