Helping others comes naturally to Tauranga auctioneer Frank Vosper and his unwavering efforts are being recognised today.
Mr Vosper has been recognised in this year's Queen's Birthday honours list with a Queen Service Medal for his services to the community.
The news came as a surprise and Mr Vosper still cannot believe the announcement.
"I found out mid-way through last month and I first thought I was receiving an invitation to hear Alan Bollard speak, then when I read it I couldn't believe it and went into shock."
"I'm celebrating my 60th birthday this month... so this is pretty nice birthday present," he said.
Sitting at his Judea home, that doubles as his real estate office, Mr Vosper speaks of his vast and varied involvement with community groups in the Western Bay of Plenty and country.
He is a talented auctioneer and volunteers his services to community groups and organisations for fundraising events.
"There's two parts to fundraising, first of all it's fun and it's also raising money for people who are less fortunate than you and I, because that's what it's all about."
Mr Vosper began his auctioneering career in the Waikato, working as an auctioneer for a thoroughbred horse lodge in Cambridge. When he moved to Tauranga in 1994, his public speaking role increased and Mr Vosper immersed himself in real estate.
Today, he runs his own company and balances his time managing about 60 properties and endless community events. He doesn't wear a watch but said he "somehow" managed to keep appointments and volunteer at charity events.
A turning point in Mr Vosper's life, which sparked his passion for community service, came when he was asked to auctioneer at a school function.
The school could not afford to pay his $300 fee so organised for a parent to auctioneer the evening.
"That made me feel belittled because they essentially said anyone can be an auctioneer... so I went back to them and I said I would do it and they had the cheque waiting for me and we raised $10,000 that night and at the end I ripped up the cheque and since then I have never taken any money from what I do."
Whenever he is asked to MC or auctioneer a charity event, whether it be for a school, community group or national organisation, Mr Vosper will always say yes.
"Unless I'm already committed by another event," he said.
Throughout his career, Mr Vosper has been heavily involved with the Tauranga Police Charity Auction, which raised more than a million dollars in profits last year. He's also been a part of numerous school fundraising events, sports club fundraisers, the National Health Foundation, New Zealand Guide Dogs, the RNZ Foundation of the Blind, Cure Kids, Kiwi Can, Canteen and Waipuna Hospice.
"I know I do a lot in the community but I'm a humble person and this is something where you'd never nominate yourself and it's nice my peers have recognised the hard work I have put in, but it's not about that, I do this because I love helping others," he said.
