It’s been a year of milestones for Karen Nicholson.

The 46-year-old completed the NZ Diploma in Building Surveying (In Employment), Level 6. She also tied the knot in November to the love of her life of 30 years.

It was a shotgun wedding of a different calibre. The bride was not expecting. Instead, she fielded an untraditional gift from her husband- a shiny, new shotgun. A newcomer to clay target shooting, she has followed in the footsteps of her partner who grew up engaging in the sport. “While I had limited experience with firearms, I believe anyone can learn nearly anything with enough practice,” Karen says. “So, I got my firearms licence, and following the first Covid-19 lockdown the timing was right to get my first shotgun.”

Plans for a family wedding were crushed due to the Covid-19 pandemic as it would have proved too expensive for relatives to travel from Australia, she says. So the couple held a secret garden ceremony on Karen’s birthday with only their three daughters and a celebrant in attendance. “It was wonderful, relaxed and more what we wanted with a lot less stress,” she says. “Eventually we will hold a bigger party to celebrate.”

The Oamaru resident also finished our programme which has fostered her career as a Building Control Officer at the Waitaki District Council, Oamaru. “Future Skills Academy offered in-employment training for the Diploma in Building Surveying, which I thought would assist me with my work in building compliance and give me an opportunity for advancement in my future,” she says. “Undertaking the diploma has given me more knowledge and confidence in my own ability, and at times pushed me outside my comfort zone to gain more experience and knowledge.” A highlight was learning with other council workers around Aoteaora, she says. “We came from different starting points and everyone had experiences which related to the learnings.”

Karen’s fervour for building control stems from a love of learning along with the heritage buildings gracing Waitaki. “While I was growing up, a lot of our historical buildings were used for storage, and the area was pretty much a wasteland. Returning to Oamaru and seeing the development and repurposing of these buildings was inspiring.” Family members have lived in the area for many generations and boast connections to many ancient hotels.

Now that the study and assignments are over, Karen and her husband are honeymooning in Hanmer Springs in the South Island for a few nights.