It is with great sadness that we wish to advise that Pionair’s Financial Controller, Lorraine Swain passed away suddenly on Wednesday 10 September, 2008.

At her funeral, our Managing Director, Alistair Johnston, summed up all that Lorraine meant to us by retelling an old Maori legend, as words could not truly express the grief we felt. The Maori legend speaks about the lord of the forest Tane, who holds the heavens up separating Earth Mother from Sky Father. When faced with the loss of a powerful member the Maori people say that a mighty tree has fallen in the forest of Tane. We at Pionair have lost our own mighty tree.

With the loss of Lorraine, we who worked with her and loved her are faced with the loss of a vital part of our family. Obviously our loss cannot begin to compare with the loss of a wife and mother as suffered by her husband Murray and children Karlie, Anna and Paul, but we will mourn her as far more than just a work colleague. She has played a magnificent role in helping us achieve many of the outcomes that we have enjoyed in recent years and her driving force, eternal optimism and great friendship will be sorely missed by all. We may plant further trees in the years to come but it will be many a long year before they approach the strength and resilience of one such as Lorraine.

Lorraine, more than a work colleague you became a dear friend and we will never forget you for the way you touched each of our lives. We will all miss you, especially your big smile and endless positive energy.

Alistair, Brian, Murray, Tim and all the Pionair Team