Jim Duckworth receiving Rotary's "5 Avenues of Service" Award from District Governor Craig Horrocks under the watchful eye of President Gavin Green.
Following an introduction by President Gavin in which he outlined the many different ways in which Jim has served the club and the community over his 50 years of active membership District Governor Craig Horrocks presented Jim with a “5 Avenues of Service” engraved crystal plaque. Jim’s family with wife Judy and daughter Rachel and son Jamie were on hand to help him celebrate an amazing milestone in Rotary service. Proof that “you can’t hold a good man down” Jim made his way to the rostrum on crutches to receive his award after undergoing another knee replacement the previous week!
Jim joined Howick Rotary in July 1971 and is a Past President of the Club and has held numerous Directorship roles within the Club over his 50 years. His many roles and achievements include helping found the “Friends of Mangamangaroa” through which a magnificent local estuarine reserve has been created, helping the Fiji FAIM team build houses, led a District Group Study Exchange to Germany, set the path for the club in making the first Paul Harris Fellowship awards and being active in hosting exchange students and RYLA participants. Amongst his many skills and attributes Jim’s baking ability is well known to all club members through his mouthwatering “Eccles” and Charter Birthday and Christmas cakes that he has made for project treats and formal occasions over the 50 years!
A well-deserved award to an incredibly generous and community minded man!
For a more complete review of Jim’s amazing 50 years of involvement in Rotary’s 5 Avenues of Service along with another photo of Jim and family click on Read More.
Jim proudly showing off his Award surrounded by wife Judy, daughter Rachel, son Jamie along with President Gavin Green and District Governor Craig Horrocks.
In July 2021 Jim Duckworth will have completed a total of 50 years exemplary service for the Rotary Club of Howick. It is highly appropriate this be recognised through the presentation of an Avenues of Service Award.
Throughout Jim’s 50 years he has consistently demonstrated his support for the Objects of Rotary through his participation in service activities in each of the five Avenues of Service. His involvement is evidenced through a number of activities as outlined below. Of course, these simply represent a small slice of his involvement as a Rotarian in so many areas throughout his 50 years service.
CLUB SERVICE:
* Jim has been an active member of the Rotary Club of Howick for 50 years.
* He is a Past President of the Club and has held numerous Directorship roles within the Club over these years.
* In his early days he was active in arranging for the first Paul Harris Fellowship Award to be presented to a Club Member. At this stage in the Club’s development no strong determination had been developed as to whether the Club would support PHF nominations. Jim was active in changing this position and undertook to personally contact each Club member seeking donations to cover the Cost of the Award. He was successful in doing so and set the path for numerous PHF Awards to follow.
* Jim has been very active in the Fellowship area of the Club over many years arranging club outings out of Auckland as a way to bring club members, and their families, closer together. This included an extensive weekend outing to Dargaville with car, bus and boat travel included.
* He also ‘skippered’ a boat taking members to the island of Motuora, an island sanctuary for native flora and fauna north of Auckland.
* Jim’s baking ability is well known amongst members following a long working life in this industry. He regularly brings ‘treats’ to members during working bees and other club activities. This has extended to the annual Christmas Cake as well as the annual Charter Cake as the club celebrates its birthday. It is highly likely the Charter cake has been made by Jim for 49 years with one more to come this year!
* Jim has been an active member of the Rotary Club of Howick for 50 years.
* He is a Past President of the Club and has held numerous Directorship roles within the Club over these years.
* In his early days he was active in arranging for the first Paul Harris Fellowship Award to be presented to a Club Member. At this stage in the Club’s development no strong determination had been developed as to whether the Club would support PHF nominations. Jim was active in changing this position and undertook to personally contact each Club member seeking donations to cover the Cost of the Award. He was successful in doing so and set the path for numerous PHF Awards to follow.
* Jim has been very active in the Fellowship area of the Club over many years arranging club outings out of Auckland as a way to bring club members, and their families, closer together. This included an extensive weekend outing to Dargaville with car, bus and boat travel included.
* He also ‘skippered’ a boat taking members to the island of Motuora, an island sanctuary for native flora and fauna north of Auckland.
* Jim’s baking ability is well known amongst members following a long working life in this industry. He regularly brings ‘treats’ to members during working bees and other club activities. This has extended to the annual Christmas Cake as well as the annual Charter Cake as the club celebrates its birthday. It is highly likely the Charter cake has been made by Jim for 49 years with one more to come this year!
VOCATIONAL SERVICE:
* Jim has been highly active in vocational service. His ongoing work in the area of conservation is well known locally. He has worked with surrounding school students and community groups to collect seeds from native plants throughout the Mangemangeroa Reserve, propagate these, then working with students and community groups, return the young plants to the Reserve. Over the years this has created a wonderful bush walking area for the public.
* Jim has organised a number of Vocational visits for the club including one to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter base.
* Jim was a member of the District GSE committee for 2-3 years. He was active on that committee and in 1991 (I believe the date to be correct.) led a GSE team to Germany. This was a highly successful visit with reports back to the club indicating all participants found the visit to be highly worthwhile with respect to their individual vocations.
* Jim has been highly active in vocational service. His ongoing work in the area of conservation is well known locally. He has worked with surrounding school students and community groups to collect seeds from native plants throughout the Mangemangeroa Reserve, propagate these, then working with students and community groups, return the young plants to the Reserve. Over the years this has created a wonderful bush walking area for the public.
* Jim has organised a number of Vocational visits for the club including one to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter base.
* Jim was a member of the District GSE committee for 2-3 years. He was active on that committee and in 1991 (I believe the date to be correct.) led a GSE team to Germany. This was a highly successful visit with reports back to the club indicating all participants found the visit to be highly worthwhile with respect to their individual vocations.
COMMUNITY SERVICE:
* Jim was one of the three Rotarians who met at Jim’s home to establish the Friends of Mangemangeroa (FOM) Committee many years ago. Since that time this group has grown into a strong Incorporated Society which works with Auckland Council to maintain and restore the coastal walkway along the Mangemangeroa Estuary. This is now recognised as a Premier Park and is described as an area of dramatic estuarine landscape at the ends of the Howick area. Jim has throughout been a main driver in the ongoing development of this Reserve.
* Jim has been key in the maintenance of the Reserve through the collection of seeds from within the Reserve, propagating these seeds, then working with various school and community groups to plant the seedings back into the reserve. Large areas of this once bare and scrubby land have now been transformed back into lush native bush attracting a wide range of birdlife as well as it being a very popular walking and jogging track for locals and also those further afield. This is a wonderful long term legacy for future generations.
* Jim is an active supporter of the Howick Historical Village. In particular he has given his time freely on a number of their open days to bake break in the open oven at the Village, passing out the warm bread to Village visitors.
* Currently Jim is working with the Village Board, helping design an authentic replacement oven, true to the period, which will be used on a regular basis on Village open days. Jim is working at home perfecting the soda bread recipe which he will pass on to others so they can also take their turn baking authentic early settler bread in an authentic oven.
* Jim is always ready to freely pass on his knowledge and skills to others. He has much to offer.
* Jim was one of the three Rotarians who met at Jim’s home to establish the Friends of Mangemangeroa (FOM) Committee many years ago. Since that time this group has grown into a strong Incorporated Society which works with Auckland Council to maintain and restore the coastal walkway along the Mangemangeroa Estuary. This is now recognised as a Premier Park and is described as an area of dramatic estuarine landscape at the ends of the Howick area. Jim has throughout been a main driver in the ongoing development of this Reserve.
* Jim has been key in the maintenance of the Reserve through the collection of seeds from within the Reserve, propagating these seeds, then working with various school and community groups to plant the seedings back into the reserve. Large areas of this once bare and scrubby land have now been transformed back into lush native bush attracting a wide range of birdlife as well as it being a very popular walking and jogging track for locals and also those further afield. This is a wonderful long term legacy for future generations.
* Jim is an active supporter of the Howick Historical Village. In particular he has given his time freely on a number of their open days to bake break in the open oven at the Village, passing out the warm bread to Village visitors.
* Currently Jim is working with the Village Board, helping design an authentic replacement oven, true to the period, which will be used on a regular basis on Village open days. Jim is working at home perfecting the soda bread recipe which he will pass on to others so they can also take their turn baking authentic early settler bread in an authentic oven.
* Jim is always ready to freely pass on his knowledge and skills to others. He has much to offer.
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE:
* Jim participated in two FAIM Team visits to Fiji, supporting locals who worked alongside the team to build hurricane proof homes for families unable to provide one for themselves.
* He was an active participant in a Club fundraising initiative, raising sufficient funds for the purchase of a vehicle to use as an ambulance in Fiji.
* Jim and his wife Judy have actively supported International students over many years. They have hosted a number of students themselves and also hosted a good number of gatherings of students on social occasions at their home.
* Jim participated in two FAIM Team visits to Fiji, supporting locals who worked alongside the team to build hurricane proof homes for families unable to provide one for themselves.
* He was an active participant in a Club fundraising initiative, raising sufficient funds for the purchase of a vehicle to use as an ambulance in Fiji.
* Jim and his wife Judy have actively supported International students over many years. They have hosted a number of students themselves and also hosted a good number of gatherings of students on social occasions at their home.
YOUTH SERVICE:
* Jim was a member of the Match Twin Exchange Committee, chairing the committee for a number of years.
* He hosted several Twin Exchange students.
* On one occasion he travelled to Australia, at his expense, visiting every Rotary Club that was hosting one of the District MTEx students to ensure all was progressing well and to show each student some positive support.
* On another occasion Jim hosted a social function for around 40 MTEx students at his home with all able to stay overnight. Quite an exercise!
* Jim has been a very active supporter of RYLA as well. Over many years he has hosted a group of students on their community day. He has had them at his home and worked alongside them as they carried out their community service helping with planning in the Mangemangeroa reserve as noted earlier. RYLA feedback surveys have consistently rated this to be a highlight of the week.
* Jim was a member of the Match Twin Exchange Committee, chairing the committee for a number of years.
* He hosted several Twin Exchange students.
* On one occasion he travelled to Australia, at his expense, visiting every Rotary Club that was hosting one of the District MTEx students to ensure all was progressing well and to show each student some positive support.
* On another occasion Jim hosted a social function for around 40 MTEx students at his home with all able to stay overnight. Quite an exercise!
* Jim has been a very active supporter of RYLA as well. Over many years he has hosted a group of students on their community day. He has had them at his home and worked alongside them as they carried out their community service helping with planning in the Mangemangeroa reserve as noted earlier. RYLA feedback surveys have consistently rated this to be a highlight of the week.