Our Leaders: Brentleigh Bond

Almost 14 years ago Brentleigh Bond retired from the textile industry and decided on the quiet life in Rotorua.

But since moving here from Auckland life has been anything but quiet.

Since 1997 he admits he has taken on a new hobby - collecting committees.

"I have been involved with the following community organisations since 1997: Manupirua Springs, Lake Rotoiti Classic and Wooden Boats Association, the LakesWater Quality Society, the Lake Rotoiti Community Association, the Rotorua Combined Lakes Ratepayers Association, the Rotorua Lakes and Land Trust, the Lake Rotoiti Charitable Trust and the Rotorua Lakes Community Board," Mr Bond said.

So it's little wonder that Mr Bond was the inaugural recipient of the Rotorua District Council's Environmental Action Leadership award.

"I have enjoyed meeting and working with a wide range of very good people as a result and have achieved a level of satisfaction in being of service to the community. With this work has come a realisation of the huge contribution to our communities throughout New Zealand that are provided by volunteers - mostly unpaid," Mr Bond said.

The awards were handed out to 16 of the Rotorua community's brightest lights at a ceremony in July.

The awards covered many areas of achievement, including the performing arts, youth leadership, business, community service, sports and environmental action.

"The award came as a complete surprise to me, so much so that I was overseas on the night of the presentation and unable to personally receive it. I am very conscious that, while this award has my name on it, it really belongs to all the many people I have worked with that have made everything possible. My thanks to them all," he said.

Mr Bond was also part of a small and dedicated team that organised the recent Lake Water Quality Symposium and was also part of the team that organised the New Zealand Community Boards' biennial conference here in Rotorua.

"The part-time aspect of work I took on soon disappeared and became more or less full time, which suited my situation. Since coming to Rotorua I spent some leisure time in taking up and learning to play the saxophone.

"My thanks to Grant Burns and the Rotorua Symphonic Band for providing the opportunity. I am currently playing with Taupo's Great Lake Big Band with regular gigs in Rotorua."

He said with all of his duties he still found time, but only just, for his three stepchildren and his music.

"I still seem to run out of hours in the day to do all I would like," he said.