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Warren Osborne of Tindalls Bay has dedicated a big portion of his 94 years to community service.
He was recently honoured with Rotary’s highest award, the Paul Harris Award (PHA), for the second time, after serving as a volunteer for 51 years.
The award signifies an outstanding contribution to the community (it is named after the founder of Rotary) and Warren received his first PHA in 1990. The second one, which has an additional sapphire, was pinned on his chest in a ceremony at the Osborne’s Arkles Bay home on May 28.
Warren’s wife of 68 years, Marrea, received a bouquet of flowers for all her support, much of which has been vital. She too has a PHA, awarded by Rotary in 1992 for her community work.
Warren’s time as a Rotarian with the Te Atatu club, which he joined in 1973, saw him take on many key roles, including a stint as president, and time on the scholarship committee.
He joined Whangaparāoa Rotary when he and Marrea moved to Tindalls Bay in 1993 and was made an honorary member in 2001.
Marrea, 88, says Warren’s work with the youth exchange, which brought young people from overseas to spend a year in NZ, was particularly memorable and something he is most proud of.
“We are people-orientated,” she says. “Helping people has been the main thing.”
When Rotary started the trolley derby, Warren and Marrea were both involved – she in the hospitality tent and Warren sitting between the two young trolley racers on the starting block, calming and encouraging them before they took on the fast downhill course.
Not all Warren’s voluntary work was with Rotary – he also jumped in, boots and all, with the early days of hospice in Red Beach, using his practical skills (he was a plumber by trade) to maintain equipment and fix leaks. He also joined in tree plantings at Shakespear Open Sanctuary.
Warren is slowing down in his 95th year, and Marrea is taking good care of him at their home in Tindalls Bay which she describes as ‘our piece of paradise’.
