Colin Douglas - President 2021 - 2022

Colin was born in Christchurch and grew up there.  He was one of four siblings, only he and a sister survive at time of writing this. His father died early in Colin's life but his mother lived to a respectable 92 years of age! He attended local  primary, Intermediate and secondary schools and as a youngster he took on several part time jobs, including paper boy and telegram delivery boy. At 15 he left school and became an apprentice mechanic, completing his apprenticeship in 10,000 hours.

Colin married Bev over 52 years ago. They met in Christchurch where they dated a bit. Before long he took time out to explore Australia where he toured and visited the usual sights. On his return, their courtship resumed and they married,  built a house in Halswell and they settled down with the usual mortgage, and work commitments. Bev and Colin now have three grown-up children, one daughter living in Australia, one in New Zealand, and a son who has settled in Nelson. They have four grandchildren.

Work has been everything to Colin and he prides himself on having a strong work ethic. After his 'OE' in Australia, he initially worked for his old boss and then was employed by ALLTRANZ, as a forklift mechanic. He became something of an expert in that field. However, he and his family moved to Nelson and Colin opened up his own tire business which he operated in Quarantine Road until his retirement. Colin sums himself up as someone who has never sought an incentive to work. He simply gets on with what needs to be done.

In 2017 Colin joined the Stoke-Tahunanui Men's Club  and barely had his feet under the table before he was elected President in 2021. He had joined through an invitation from Ian Christison who joined Rotary on the same day as he did, 33 years earlier. Colin still is a regular member of the Nelson West Rotary Club and he served as President in 1999 - 2000. He speaks warmly of his involvement in the Stoke-Tahunanui Men's club, actively supporting the walking group, petanque and local visits, which he organises. He appreciates the friendship, loves the banter and observes that he gets out of the club, more than what he puts in.

Bev and Colin enjoy their self-contained motor home, in which they have explored both the South and North Islands. Their last North Island trip was cut short by Covid as they had a set time in which to return home. They still use the motor home regularly, sometimes meeting up with other club members.

He is a voluntary driver of the Hospital buggy and his travels are often  synchronised around his buggy roster.

"I've had a good life," Colin observes. "Apart from a few pills, a couple of new knees and some new ears on order; I can't complain."