Jack was an unsung hero

He dedicated his life to the area, so surely his hard work should be acknowledged? The wife of Panmure's former chief engineer thinks so. She talks to Valerie Schuler about her struggle to ensure his contribution is remembered.
Georgina Fitzgerald looks out over Panmure's volcanic basin. It is here - away from the hustle and bustle of the surrounding suburb - that she comes to remember her late husband, Jack.
"Jack absolutely loved this place," she says. "Panmure was his life."
John "Jack" Fitzgerald was a chief engineer for the former Mt Wellington Borough Council. The Panmure Basin walkway, Swimarama aquatic centre, Mt Wellington War Memorial Reserve and local RSA are some of the many projects he worked on.
Ten years after his death, Mrs Fitzgerald and her friend, Grace Larsen, from the Panmure Historical Society are pulling every string they can to ensure Mr Fitzgerald's contribution to the area is remembered.
Ideally, they want a seat and plaque installed somewhere along the basin walkway. But it's proving difficult.
The Tamaki Community Board turned down the pair's application for funding earlier this year.
"We are lucky to have a lot of distinguished citizens in the area," says the board's chairwoman, Kate Sutton.
"But Auckland City does not usually pay for plaques to commemorate people. So we have to stick with that policy."
An earlier attempt to commemorate Mr Fitzgerald is adding fuel to the fire. Local group Friends of Maungarei put up some picnic tables and a plaque at the top of Mt Wellington in 2001. But because of delays, the plaque was only a temporary one, which has since been painted over.
"I was shocked when I saw it," says Mrs Fitzgerald. "It was so small and insignificant, it made me feel very sad. Jack was a shy and humble man and wouldn't have asked for much. But he deserves to be remembered properly."
Mr Fitzgerald worked for the council for more than 30 years.
When he was appointed borough engineer in 1951, the area had a population of 3500.
By the time he retired in the 1980s, it was one of the country's biggest industrial suburbs.
"Although it was his job, Jack dedicated a lot of his spare time to local groups and projects," says his widow.
Mr Fitzgerald helped set up the Mt Wellington Licensing Trust and chaired its sportsman of the year award for 25 years. He took a prominent part in building St Patrick's Church in Panmure and helped set up an IHC complex for intellectually disabled children.
All this in mind, Mrs Larsen is persevering. "I'm determined to make it happen," she says. "My Irish blood won't let it go."
Armed with a folder filled with clippings and information, she has approached the Mt Wellington Foundation for help. It has also been suggested that one leg of the King of the Mountain event - an annual fun run to the top of Mt Wellington - be named after Mr Fitzgerald.
In the meantime, one of his 10 grandchildren proudly carries his name.
Reviving history
The Panmure Historical Society was established in 2003 with just nine members and has slowly grown its membership  to about 35. The society's goal is to research and record the area's  history, and has produced two Walk the Panmure Heritage Trail brochures. To find out more about Panmure's history, the society has a file at the local library. More info: ph 527 8139.