Twin celebration for Johnstons
Sunday was a day of festivity for Tuatapere man Les Johnston who celebrated his 60th wedding anniversary and was also presented with a community service award.
Les and Violet Johnston were married in Papatotara, have six children and have lived in the Tuatapere area all their lives.
They have 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Mrs Johnston said the pair had had their share of arguments but they had always been happy and just got on with things.
‘‘We have had our arguments over the years, of course, who hasn’t, but we have always been happy together,’’ she said.
The pair celebrated their anniversary at the Waiau Town and Country Club.
While there, Mr Johnston was presented with a community service award. Tuatapere Community Board chairman Gray Robertson said Mr Johnston had served seven terms on the board, including 17 years as deputy chairman.
Ward member and councillor George Harpur said Mr Johnston’s service to the community was what held small towns together.
His community service also included 27 years as a Tuatapere Lions member, one year as district governor, and four years as president of the Tuatapere Scouts.
He is also a past president of the Western Southland Deerstalkers Association, has been a firearms instructor for 38 years, trustee/ treasurer of the Hump Ridge Track for 18 years, a past president of the Tuatapere Bowling Club, a green keeper for 19 years, a Southland Locator Beacon Charitable Trust trustee for 12 years, justice of the peace and a Tuatapere Community Board member for 20 years.
Mr Johnston said community service was about doing things you enjoyed. ‘‘I’ve got a lot of enjoyment out of doing what I have done over the years and having the support of Violet has been invaluable – I couldn’t have done as much without that support.’’