Y.M.C.A.s LOSS

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 136, 5 December 1935, Page 13

Y.M.C.A.s LOSS

MR. J. A. DUFFY'S RETIREMENT

The impending departure of Mr. J. A. Duffy from the service of the Wellington V.M.C.A. is the occasion of much regret on the part of the members. Mr. Duffy has served the association as physical director for the past fourteen years, and the tributes paid to the efficiency of his work and his influence among the young people of the membership have been many.

On the occasion of the recent annual meeting of the V.M.C.A., Mr Duffy was presented with a cheque from the association, and, in addition, the president, Mr. R. H. Nimmo, handed Mr. Duffy a mounted pen and pencil as a personal gift from the directors.

At the gymnasium break-up held on November 29, Mr. Duffy was farewelled by a large audience of gymnasium members, • presided over by Dr. Alex Gillies, chairman of the gymnasium committee.. The speakers on this occasion included Mr. G. H. Scott, vicepresident of the association; Mr. Joe Collins, senior gymnastic leader; Miss Leila Young, ladies' class leader; Mr Fuller, representing the Gymnasium Old Girls' Association;, and Mr. L. J. Greenberg, general secretary. All the speakers referred to Mr. Duffy's high qualities, and the excellent service he has given to the youth of the city. In these tributes Mrs^ Duffy was associated with her husband, it being stated by the speakers that she had been a very keen friend of the gymnasium and at all times she had supported her husband in his work. Mr. Duffy was the recipient of a framed enlargement of the gymnasium leaders, and an electric clock. Mrs. Duffy was presented with a handbag from the members and a bouquet of roses.

Mr Duffy in his response referred to his long association with the gymnasium, and the pleasure it had given him to serve the members of the association and the young people of the community generally. He asked members to accord to his successor the same measure of loyalty and support as had been given him.