Long-serving Bay councillor recognised
Helping to found the Pupu Hydro Society and the Golden Bay Promotions Association are high on Paul Sangster’s list of things he’s proud of.
The Golden Bay ward councillor, pictured, has been honoured with a Queen’s Service Medal for more than 40 years of service to local government and the community.
Sangster, 68, is in his ninth term as ward councillor. He started out on the Golden Bay County Council, and then on the Tasman District Council from its amalgamation. He held the position of deputy mayor from 1997-2000.
The biggest lesson he says he’s learnt from a lifetime on council is patience. ‘‘If you don’t succeed today, you might in a year’s time.’’
Sangster helped to found the Pupu society in 1981, and remains secretary of the organisation, which returns profits from the small hydroelectric scheme back to the community. ‘‘It’s probably what I’m the most proud of.’’ He is also proud of helping to found the Golden Bay Promotions Association and Takaka i-Site. Sangster is also a regular community Master of Ceremonies, and Takaka’s longtime Father Christmas at the annual Santa Parade. He established the Golden Bay Employment Pool and Kahurangi Recycling Centre to provide jobs, and has a long association with the Takaka Drama Society, the Takaka Citizens Brass Band, the Takaka Rugby Club, the Golden Bay A&P Show and the Rockville Settlers Museum. Peter Goodman has no idea who nominated him for a Queen’s Birthday Honour. However, he is not fussed on tracking back through 40 years of community service in the Nelson and Waikato regions to pinpoint who is behind the acknowledgement.
‘‘Somebody knows me better than I know myself,’’ he said.
Goodman has been awarded the Queen’s Service Medal for his volunteer service to various community projects in the South Waikato town of Putaruru and in Nelson, particularly through brass bands and Lions clubs.
Nelson-born Goodman joined the Nelson Garrison Brass Band in 1953, and in 2014 was made a life member of Nelson City Brass. For decades he has contributed his time to teaching young musicians and conducting in Putaruru and Nelson. He also led the organising committee for the 1997 Regional Brass Band contest in Nelson.
While more likely these days to be seen conducting than playing his beloved euphonium – the golden sound, as he refers to it – Goodman showed he still had the golden touch by winning best veterans’ solo at a regional band competition in Motueka recently.
Between 1975 and 1984 he was a member of the Putaruru Lions Club, and he has been a member of Nelson North Lions since 1984, holding various offices, including president.
Goodman also spent 2003 and 2004 volunteering for the Night Watch Nelson community patrols in conjunction with the police, until another passion in his life – lawn bowls – forced a scaling back of his commitments.
Goodman’s example appears to have rubbed off on his nearest and dearest. His wife of 56 years, Mary, has also enjoyed a long involvement with Guides and Lionesses, and also volunteered with her husband at Nelson’s Founders Heritage Park museum. Their son and daughter are also well engaged in community work.
‘‘I guess it’s a family trait to be involved,’’ he said.