Don O’Connor – NZ Order of Merit
Prominent New Zealand motor cyclist Don O’Connor has been recognised in the NZ New Years Honours List. Born in Melbourne, Don came to New Zealand when he was 17 and became an apprentice motorcycle mechanic in New Plymouth. He and his wife Glenys bought a local Suzuki franchise and started importing gear from Italy, and became a Ducati importer under the Eurobike NZ banner. He became a local speedway competitor, winning solo and later TQ Midget titles. Don conceived a programme to break away from the NZACU to become self governing as Speedway NZ Inc, and was elected secretary/treasurer from 1984 to 1988 and later awarded Life membership. In later years as Patron of Speedway NZ, he manufactured frames for Suzuki-powered Junior Speedway bikes, and sponsored many competitors, including Robert Holden and more recently Jacob Stroud. He is a man of considerable energy who has been recognised with this ward. From Ivan Turnbull.