OUTSTANDING MEN

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32430, 17 October 1970, Page 1

OUTSTANDING MEN

A Mayor, a barrister and a Maori shearing contractor have teen selected by New Zealand Jaycees as the Three Outstanding Young Men of 1970, it was announced in Christchurch last evening. The winners are Mr G. E. Lee, of Paeroa, Mr R. G. Sinclair, of Ashburton, and Mr G. W. Potae, of Milton. The panel which chose this year’s Three Outstanding Young Men was Mr Justice Moller, Mr B. H. Wakelin, of Mangakino, the Bishop of Christchurch (the Rt Rev. W. A. Pyatt), and Sir Henry ' Blyde, of New Plymouth. Mr Justice Moller, of Auckland, the chairman, presented the awards last evening during the annual convention of New Zealand Jaycee. The award is made in conjunction with W. D. and H. O. Wills (N.Z.), Ltd. Commenting on the purpose .of the awards, Mr G. G. H. Gilmour, of Wills, said: “It is simply the recognition by the community of the debt it owes young men like these. “Without them our society would be immeasurably poorer.” Mr Sinclair Mr Sinclair, aged 34, is a barrister and solicitor and chairman of the Ashburton Hospital Board. He came originally from Dunedin. Mr Sinclair is an elder of the Presbyterian Church. He is also on the board of the Ashburton Per-

manent Building and Investment Society, and when elected to that position at 31, he was the youngest such director. Mr Sinclair was vice-chair-man of the Ashburton electorate of the National Party and is a past president of the local Jaycee chapter. When he was New Zealand Jaycee president he was the youngest man ever to hold that position. He has also been an international Jaycee vice-president. Next month New Zealand Jaycees will endorse Mr Sinclair as its nominee for world president of Jaycee. The award was given to Mr Sinclair because his contributions to his fellow men on regional and international levels “are unique.” Mr Potae On receiving his award, Mr Potae said that young men of two races could live together, help each other, and succeed in their chosen goals. Mr Potae was selected because “he is one of the most respected of his race in New Zealand.” Mr Potae is a Justice of the Peace, a judge for the Otago Shearing and Woolhandling Society, and for the International Shearing Championship Society of Masterton. As 1969 Golden Shears champion, he toured America, Europe and England with his wife. In addition to expanding his shearing contracting business, Mr Potae, agec 34, is active in the fori mation of tribal committees in the South Island. I He was born in Coromandel

and educated in Coromandel and Auckland. He arrived in Milton nine years ago and began his own firm in 1962. He now employs 110 men who shear one million sheep. Mr Lee Mr Lee, aged 35, is Mayor of Paeroa, on the Hauraki Plains. He is managing director of a construction company and lay preacher of the Paeroa Baptist Fellowship. Mr Lee is also managing director of International Radio Crusades which broadcasts throughout Asia, Central America and the Philippines from recording studios in Paeroa and Hamilton. According to the selection panel, “his primary service to the community has been through his active and enthusiastic contribution to council life.”