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PROFILES
Maurie Gordon He
has been playing bowls for 16 years (our longest serving Lead?), firstly at
the Heretaunga Bowling Club and since amalgamation, at Bowls Heretaunga. His
list of achievements in his chosen sport (shooting) is unbelievable and only
limited space prevents us from listing all his accomplishments/awards and trophies.
At ten years old, firing with an air rifle, at berries/acorns and
then wax matches on fence posts (the matches lit when hit with a glancing
shot!), perfected Maurie’s skills as a sharp-sighted, imperturbable marksman.
He started competitive shooting at the age of 12 in the Smallbore division
(under the McLean Park stand) and after much success in this discipline, he
moved to Fullbore (Roy's Hill Range) after the 2nd world war. He found Fullbore
(outdoor, long range shooting) more challenging than Smallbore competition
(especially with wind variabilities). Some
of his more notable victories include being a three-time winner of the esteemed
Ballinger Belt – 1951, 1953 and 1970, winner of both the prestigious Kings
and Queens prizes, he competed three times with much success at Bisley (UK)
and won a gold medal at the 1974 Commonwealth Games at Christchurch. He was a
valued member of the NZ international team for approximately twenty years and
travelled all over the world competing with honour and distinction. Along with
being a life member of both the Okawa Rifle Club and also NZ National Rifle
Assn. - Maurie features in Sport Hawke’s Bay’s ‘Hall of Fame’. He
remembers feeling honoured, but a little apprehensive, when instructed to sit
next to the Queen at a banquet on the Royal Yacht Britannia in Lyttleton
Harbour. Valerie Young sat with the Duke of Edinburgh and both the Duke and
the Queen made both feel comfortable with amusing tales (-ask Maurie to tell
these - especially the part about 'pimples on your b#m'!). Maurie
is still competing at top level and will shoot in the annual 3 day Ballinger Belt
competition at Trentham for his 63rd consecutive year
- now, due to failing eyesight; he reluctantly (and apologetically)
uses a ‘scope’. He will be
shooting in a Te Puke event next weekend and is currently involved in the
construction of a new electronic rifle range soon to be built at PakiPaki. We
are very proud of you Maurie! *Note
– (1)
The
Ballinger Belt is the New Zealand National Fullbore Rifle Championship.
Started in 1861, it is the oldest sporting championship in New Zealand. The
National Championship wasn't always called the Ballinger Belt, it got its name
when Arthur Ballinger won it outright in 1907 and donated it back with the
name change. Today's championship format consists of three days shooting plus
the final, firing a total of one hundred and fifteen counting shots, over
distances ranging from 300 to 900 yards. This is usually competed for at
Trentham where swirling,unmanageable winds (often gale force) prevail, making
for extremely skilled competition.
*Note –(2)
Gold
Medals 1974
Commonwealth Games - Christchurch
Maurie - now, and then. ----- Jim Hoskyn Bowls
Heretaunga’s newly appointed Vice President, Arthur James (Jim) Hoskyn was
born and bred in Wanganui and retired to Hawke’s Bay a few years ago with
his wife Eileen to be nearer to his family. He then joined the Hawke’s Bay Orphans Club and linked up
with the Karamu Bowling Club. As a
school leaver, Jim served in the RNZAF as an aircraft mechanic (at Woodbourne
and Ohakea) before becoming a motor trade mechanic for the remainder of his
working career. As a young
fellow, he was a ‘harrier’ and also played indoor bowls before turning to
outdoor bowls in 1987 when he became a member of the Durie Hill Club, and
after that a committee member/player at the Wanganui Club.
Being a Boy Scout leader and taking part in all administration roles
including President and Secretary of the Jaycees, meant that Jim was kept
exceptionally busy – as he obviously likes to be! Consequently, Bowls
Heretaunga is extremely fortunate that he has accepted the Vice President’s
position where his many skills will be utilised and sincerely appreciated,
particularly his undoubted ability as a ‘story teller’ - jokes, not
fibs!.
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