The highlight of the evening was to honour branch Secretary/Treasurer, John Haynes with a prestigious Life Membership of the branch.
John Haynes has been associated with the motel industry for over 30 years and purchased Teal Motor Lodge in Gisborne with Valmai in 1979.
Soon after starting a new career as a motelier, John was elected on to the Branch Executive and served two separate terms as President 1982 – 83 and 1992 – 94.
John has been continually involved with the local branch Executive since 1981 and is currently the branch Secretary / Treasurer; a position he has held since 1999.
John has served as a board member, Vice-President and President of the Golden Chain motel group over a turbulent period of time that included overseeing a new centralised reservation system. He has also served on the local regional tourism executive.
In recognition of John’s significant contribution and perseverance in the motel industry, the Gisborne East Coast Branch proudly nominated John for the “Jack Hopkins Memorial Award” that he was awarded by MANZ in 2003.
John has always made him self available to his fellow industry members and willingly shares his vast experience and empathy with others.
John has always been a keen supporter of technology and innovation and over his career has enthusiastically embraced a range of advancements from the telex machine to the Internet.
John has always been a staunch supporter of MANZ and leads by example.
Branch member and national MANZ Board member, Peter Nash was one of three branch members that nominated John for Life Membership of the branch and this was enthusiastically endorsed by the other branch members on the night. It was also resolved that the branch has recommended that the MANZ Board consider John for life membership of the national association at their next general meeting.
Peter Nash presented John Life Membership of the East Coast Branch Motel Association of NZ with a commemorative award and certificate and thanked Valmai Haynes for her support.
