Volunteer honoured for his 39 years

• Author: Rosalie Willis
• Published date: 22 June 2022
• Publication title: Kapiti News

Acknowledged at the club’s AGM over the weekend, John was given an award recognising his 39 years as a committee member for Paekākāriki Surf Lifeguards

Starting out as a young lifeguard in 1975, John has been involved with the club for 47 years.

Starting out as a lifeguard, John competed for the Paekākāriki club, attending national events before becoming an official and judge.

After years of competing and getting involved with officiating events from 1989, John said it just seemed like the right thing to do, to join the Paekākāriki Surf Lifeguards management committee and get involved with the running of the club.

Over the last 39 years John has been deputy club captain, club captain, a committee member and most recently club treasurer for 35 years.

“I enjoy the lifesaving part, I have a community mind in terms of helping prevent drownings, I also enjoyed the competition side and the camaraderie side of it has kept me going,” John said.

Club chairman Matt Warren said: “John ‘Hooky’ has been a legend of the Paekākāriki Surf Lifeguards and for Surf Life Saving in New Zealand for as long as most people in the club can remember.

“He has provided 47 continuous years as a volunteer for the club and 39 years on the club committee, the longest-standing member the club has had. He has taken part in every aspect of the club and has had great support from Marie his wife through all of these years.”

John has also contributed to the wider organisation as one of the top sports officials for many years and chairman of the old Wellington Association.

Officiating competitions since 1989, John has been in charge of the national IRB championships seven times, represented New Zealand as a surf official in Australia, has been a New Zealand judge and has been to three world champs.

He is a life member of the club, the Wellington district and Surf Life Saving New...