The volunteering "spirit" of a Dunedin businessman has been recognised with an international award.
Tony Cummings (68) was named the International Volunteer of the Year at the Sail Training International Annual Awards at Halmstad in Sweden on Saturday.
"It’s nice for a boy from Dunedin to get worldwide recognition ... Am I proud? You betcha."
The award recognised his volunteer work on the two Spirit of Adventure Trust tall ships — Spirit of Adventure and Spirit of New Zealand — and the 59 days’ sailing with disabled people on Jubilee Sailing Trust’s Tenacious from Bermuda to the Azores, Cork and Southampton.
The awards recognised vessels, operators, individuals and organisations which have made a significant contribution to sail training.
Mr Cummings, nicknamed Barbeque Bill after his catering company which he owns with his wife Heather, first sailed on the Spirit of New Zealand in the early 1990s on a return trip between Bluff and Stewart Island.
"It spun my wheels and I’ve been hooked ever since."
Any time the ships were in Dunedin, the couple provided meals, assisted trainees, arranged transport for crews, helped out with publicity, promotion and maintenance.
In the Spirit of Adventure Trust’s history, he had given the most volunteer hours.
During his time, he has gained his master’s square rig ticket and Maritime New Zealand’s skipper restricted limits, endorsed to 500 tonnes.
Mr Cummings said he enjoyed climbing the rigging but the biggest thrill was seeing 40 teenagers from "all walks of life" form an intense bond on the ship.
"It certainly helps keep me young."
