In 1973, Mrs Shirley Farquhar agreed to assist her husband, Ian, as Secretary - on a temporary basis - of the local branch of the seafarers' welfare organization, now known as the Sailors Society.
Forty-three years on, Shirley has just retired as the managing Trustee of the Society.
The occasion was marked at the Annual Meeting of the National Body in Wellington on 19 October when Life Membership of the Sailors Society New Zealand was bestowed upon her and a small gift was presented.
A letter of greeting was received from the Chairman of the UK parent body congratulating Shirley and thanking her for "all that [she] has done to help the countless number of seafarers visiting and living in New Zealand over the years."
The letter accompanied a presentation gift from Sailors' Society UK which was presented on behalf of the Society by Mrs Linda Olesen, the Chairman of the Seafarers Welfare Board for New Zealand.
- Larry Robbins
