John Wakelin patched up the likes of Michael Jones and George Gregan as a St John volunteer, has served as a JP, and has helped coach children's sports teams. Photo / Sarah Ivey
To nominate an Unsung Hero for their community service and for terms and conditions go to: www.unsungheroes.org.nz
John Wakelin first found out about the Order of St John when he wandered along to a meeting in Warkworth just to keep a teenage mate company.
Something must have struck a chord, because Mr Wakelin served as a volunteer with the organisation for the next 53 years.
A good
proportion of that time was spent on the sidelines at Eden Park, tending to injured players. In those amateur days of rugby, the rule was no replacements on the field. Mr Wakelin remembers patching up players and sending them back on to the paddock.
"Chris Laidlaw came off with concussion one time, he was quite woozy, but he had to go back on. He was the halfback and they needed him."
"And I patched up players like Michael Jones, he's a good fella to talk to, and Zinzan Brooke, he's a nice guy, too."
"And it wasn't just the local boys - I helped that Aussie player George Gregan once."
Mr Wakelin was too small to be an effective rugby player himself, he says, but he helped coach his children's rugby and athletics teams, taking on management roles and organising overseas trips.
He is particularly proud of his role in taking a young team from the Ramblers softball club to the World Softball Youth Championships in Canada.
Mr Wakelin has been nominated for the Herald Unsung Heroes series by his daughter-in-law Kellie. The series recognises the work people do in their communities, and five nominees will be chosen to go on a P&O cruise.
Mr Wakelin has served as a Justice of the Peace since 1992, and more recently he has been a driver for Ronald McDonald House in Grafton, ferrying the parents of sick children to and from hospital.
Earlier this year, Mr Wakelin's driving days came to a halt when a tumour was found on his leg. But he hopes to return to work before the end of the year.
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.
