Steve Fitzgerald Tribute

I was in Dublin when i received a number of calls from former road safety collegues letting me know about Steves death and it felt like a stomach punch. My 1st meeting with Steve was in his very early days of Road Safety when he attended a conference in CHCH and after his presentation all I could think was 'this guy is going to kick some butt and rock the bueracracy" with some of what was considered pretty radical statements at the time and I believe was my first step into putting Steve on a pedestal as my road safety hero. Melbourne - meeting Pam for the first time with the LTSA/Police bosses at a gathering that somehow I managed to get myself invited to, RSC Conferences that Fitz's wicked laugh could be heard across a room full of people, Steve spotting my newly peireced tongue from the front of the room whilst I was at the back and telling me off for getting it!, Turning up in whites at a RSC Conference in Palmerston North and looking oh so handsome, coming to a launch of Crossroads exhibition in Nelson with very short notice and saying "of course I will be there", telling me that I had to babysit the presenters at Conference dinners so they had someone to dance with, tons and tons of fabulous memories

I spoke to Steve just 3 weeks his death before I left for overseas and we talked about the good old days of Road Safety, the fun we had and that we were like one great big family who cared for each other, and drunk too many beers and danced a little bit late! I will miss his funny little emails giving me a hard time about a boy i use to know , urging me to go back into road safety knowing it was my passion and the sparing via email to see who could get the best comeback line. He was a referee on my CV and my most recent employer has told me that when he rung Steve he was told to"grab her and dont let her get away cos shes fantastic, but watch the booze cabinet"...such a Steve thing to do


To Steves family my love and care to you all, if i could have been there to say goodbye to the great man that was Fitz I would have been though did ask Harry Hayes to ensure my thoughts were sent to you at the time

To Fitz - Heaven has a new angel be it a slightly louder, radical version of the norm and I am sure you are keeping them all on their toes. Rest well my friend

Arohanui
Peta-Mariexxx