“Legend behind the Wheel”

Very recently Rangiora High School lost a friend and a “colleague”. Laurie McNabb passed away after a short illness at the age of 88. Laurie was the longest serving bus driver in New Zealand and drove the Woodend/Waikuku school bus route for 28 years. He retired from Mt Cook Landlines 29 years ago and when Hokitika Tour and Travel asked him to fill in on a school run he said “yes” and the rest is history. Twenty eight years later at the age of age 86, because of illness, he called time on the same run.

The students of Rangiora HS loved Laurie, some making certificates reading “To the Best Bus Driver ever ---Thanks Laurie” and it would be accompanied by a small end of year gift. He never had any problems with students on his bus. If they were a bit loud, out of their seats or whatever he would just pull over on the side of the road, take out the paper and read. The students would complain “Laurie I have a music lesson, Laurie I have to be at work” but they soon learned and his methods were passed on down the families and he commanded real respect from them all.

One day a Geography trip to the West Coast had forgotten to book a bus. Students were on the footpath waiting at 8.45am. A call to Torlesse Travel and yes! Laurie, with suitcase packed, pulled up outside the school at 9.05am and off they went. His bus was always immaculate, he took real pride in the Torlesse vehicle he drove. Laurie was well known by the school office staff as he collected the bus rolls each day and was always on for a chat.

The school has lost a real friend, Torlesse Travel a champion and the bus driving fraternity a true legend. Thanks Laurie McNabb for looking after the Rangiora HS students over the years.

Brian Hays

Former Dep Principal ( Bus Oversight)