It's been much more than the simple idea of giving back to the community that's kept Trevor Dick involved with ambulance services for 68 years.
The Masterton resident, who was bestowed one of the Order of St John's highest honours on Saturday, reckons he's got a lot of enjoyment out of it for himself.
Mr Dick, who is about to turn 80, was awarded the title of Knight of Grace in this year's St John Honours List, making him the first Wairarapa person to receive the honour.
The title acknowledges Mr Dick decades of developing St John's cadet movement and, more recently, his major role in establishing a special strategy group in the region.
The retired die-sinker became involved with volunteering for ambulance services when he joined Wellington Free Ambulance as a cadet at the age of 11 in 1941.
He said it was a "natural continuation" to stay involved in training cadets and over the decades helped revolutionise the way cadets are taught.
By the time the baby boomer generation began entering the cadet movement, its old regimental "spit and polish" style was fast becoming out of date.
There needed to be a change in leadership style and a widening of teaching from pure first aid instruction to "character training".
The man for the job was Mr Dick, who as chief cadet officer between 1970 and 1984 oversaw thousands of cadets across the country, and in 1982 published the book Living, Learning, Leadership, which has formed the basis of St John youth leadership ever since.
Although now out of the role, Mr Dick quipped; "You don't retire from St John".
Seeking a change in lifestyle, he moved from Wellington to a small 120ha farm near Masterton 30 years ago, but remains closely involved with St John in Masterton.
"I often drop in at 10am - that's coffee time."
While Mr Dick has already received his mantle, it will not be until May 2011 that a formal investiture service, conducted by the Governor General and the Lord Prior - the highest ranking officer in the order worldwide - will be held in Christchurch.
Mr Dick admitted he was surprised to receive the title, and added he would have been happy enough with his title of Commander.
He pointed out that two other Wairarapa people - Masterton district administrator Suzanne Mitchell and Mike Hayden - were also admitted as members to the Order of St John in the Honours List.
The Queen, as the Sovereign Head of St John, sanctions the St John Honours, which include the grades of Knight and Dame, Commander, Officer and Member.
Independent of the New Zealand honours system, the grades are awarded every year on merit to St John members, both volunteer and paid, who stand out from their peers.
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