Newsmaker: Alan Bines

RSA museum curator Alan Bines with some of the military plaques to be sold. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

This week's Newsmaker is Alan Bines - the Returned Services Association (RSA) Museum curator who is organising the items from the museum for an auction.

Tell us about yourself

I joined the Navy at 15 and served from 1946 to 1952. I came out of the Navy and couldn't settle down and joined the Army in 1953.

I stayed there until compulsory military service ceased and then I joined the Ministry of Transport as a traffic officer. I spent seven years doing that and and then started working with Tip Top Ice Cream. I lived in Auckland at that stage and then was transferred to Rotorua in 1974 and I have been here ever since. We had our children here.

How did you get into your career?

It was just one of those things. They were advertising, and I loved the sea - I had always been on the sea as a child.

What do you love about what you do?

Everything in the military museum was donated. It started with six paintings, which were donated, depicting the trenches of Gallipoli. I was very proud of what I'd done with the museum and it was hard to see it being pulled to pieces after all this time and now I have got the job of sorting it. We will be having a sale of the stuff that hasn't been collected by people.

What have been your biggest achievements?

As far as Rotorua is concerned, my biggest achievement is the RSA and the museum, and the company. The RSA put me forward for a Queen's Service Medal for my work with the RSA. The Queen's Service Medal is something I am very proud of. My service at the RSA is something I can never forget. Being married to Joyce for 57 years is also one of my biggest achievements.

What do you love about Rotorua?

I used to hate the smell but I am used to it now. It is a friendly town, and I love the lakes and the people we have met and made friends with over the years.

Tell us three things about yourself most people wouldn't know.

I am a keen sea fisherman. I framed medals for people and arranged for them to be mounted. I like the company I have with the RSA and we have sorted ourselves out and have different outlets now.