Syd Honeyfield began driving school buses five years after he married Gladys in 1947. Photo / Alan Gibson
To nominate an Unsung Hero for their community service and for terms and conditions go to: www.unsungheroes.org.nz
Syd Honeyfield has been driving school buses in Te Puke for so long he could almost do it blindfolded.
He wouldn't, of course. At almost 87, and the oldest New Zealander to hold a passenger licence, he is well aware of his responsibilities.
He and his wife, Gladys, have clocked
up more than 100 years of community service between them in the small Bay of Plenty town.
No wonder their youngest daughter, Gloria Ziegler, nominated them for the Herald's Unsung Heroes series, which recognises the work people do in their communities. Five nominees will be chosen at the end of the series to go on a P&O cruise.
Mr and Mrs Honeyfield married in 1947, when he was working for his father milking cows.
But five years on, he left the farm and began his driving career, first on workers' and school runs and then on long-distance routes with New Zealand Road Services buses, part of NZ Railways.
Five children arrived at regular intervals, and Mr and Mrs Honeyfield became involved in school activities, on the Parent Teacher Association and the school committee.
In the 1970s, Mr Honeyfield transferred to NZ Railways in Te Puke. He was a group leader for the local Scouts for 10 years, and Mrs Honeyfield was a Brownie leader for 30 years.
As if driving for a living was not enough, Mr Honeyfield also volunteered his time as a relief ambulance driver, and he and his wife ferried people to hospital for the Red Cross.
"Help where you can is our motto," says Mr Honeyfield, and he's a man of his word.
In consultation with the Te Puke police, he organised Night Owls, a rostered group of locals who patrol the streets at night.
He was a foundation member of the Te Puke Memorial Hall committee, and looked after the maintenance of the hall for 15 years.
Always one to help get things started, Mr Honeyfield was a foundation member of Probus in Te Puke, a worldwide association for active retirees. He served as president, and is now one of only three life members.
And in their spare time, the couple enjoy dancing with the Te Puke Scottish Society.
"My wife has a bit of arthritis now, and her eyes aren't so good," says Mr Honeyfield.
"She can manage one bracket of tunes, and then she hands me around to the spare ladies there who want to dance."
And in this, as in all other things, Mr Honeyfield doesn't mind at all.
The Unsung Community Heroes series is run annually in the The Herald and on nzherald.co.nz in partnership with P&O Cruises. We invited nominations from readers to recognise people who selflessly work to make a difference in their local communities.
Some will be selected to feature in the paper and on nzherald.co.nz. Five will be chosen to join a P&O winter cruise.
