Last Tuesday night’s meeting, Colin Macnicol and Start Maclean related their life’s stories including their family and work experiences. Longer serving Rotarians are often sources of experiences, knowledge and wisdom that other members can benefit from, hence the ‘Members Night’ concept.
Colin spoke about his upbringing at Dacre, just east of Invercargill, on the family farm and his education at Woodland’s School and Southland Technical College. He spoke of his commencing work on the family farm and their farming expansion, utilising debt for development, including substantial farm improvements (fencing plus shelter belts to protect new stock) and his later dissatisfaction with the sheep meat processing industry that led he and Jean to diversify into deer farming. Colin and Jean raised 3 children on the farm - 2 daughters and a son.
Colin related a role of Jean’s, then a member of the then Country Girl’s Institute, in working to merge their association with the Young Farmers Association (Kerry Dunlop was also involved), the first province in NZ to do so. These organisations helped develop young farming people with their public peaking, debating and meeting procedure focus as well as filling a social need.
Colin and Jean retired from the farm to Arrowtown in 2006 and built their new home in 2007.
Stuart spoke of his upbringing, predominantly in Invercargill and of his sporting interests at school and beyond, predominantly in motor sport where he was the Southland Club champion 4 times. He is currently the longest serving steward in the Motor Sport Association of NZ.
Leaving Southland Boys’ High School Stuart joined the insurance industry as a rep for NZI. He related a period where he provided insurance to the licensed premises industry throughout the South Island. He was also a member of the Jaycees organisation and was actively involved in public speaking.
Stuart and Pam moved to Queenstown in 1969 and Stuart opened his own business working with NZI. He moved to the travel industry at a time when international visitors were just starting to come to Queenstown and when Rotorua dominated the international tourist market in NZ. Stuart was involved in forming the Queenstown Promotion Board serving as its first President. He helped build a necessary relationship with inbound tourist operators at the time when American and Japanese tourists were their target market.
Stuart also served in the Queenstown-Lakes District Council for 2 terms as well as serving 4 years as a Planning Commissioner.
Stuart and Pam’s 3 children, all girls, were born and raised in Queenstown. They built their current Brisbane Street home in 1987.