Stupid

Emma Bailey writes:

South Canterbury District Health Board chairman Murray Cleverley has been photographed drinking from a beer bong.

A beer bong is a tube with a funnel at one end designed for quick beer consumption.

The photograph has been sent to The Timaru Herald, and was taken at a private function in October.

It has appeared on Facebook but was removed.

Cleverley, who became board chairman at the start of 2010, conceded the photograph did not look good, but described it as “a bit of tomfoolery” in a private setting.

“It was one 330ml stubbie of beer.”

He was disappointed that someone saw fit to pass the photograph on to the newspaper.

“This is the part of the job that I struggle with. When I signed up (to the health board), I didn’t think I was signing away my private life.

The reality is you are. Especially as Chairman.

I don’t think this is a hanging offence. Hell as a private citizen I’ve drunk from some bongs at various times, and I think a couple of those photos may be on someone’s facebook page somewhere.

However if I was a member of a DHB, let alone the Chair, I would not drink from a bong – let alone allow photos of it.  It undermines the activities of your own organisation.