Malcolm McKee, of Wendonside, near Lumsden, said being a part of and leading multiple community groups was something that happened naturally.
Looking back, one thing flowed on to the next and he was most proud that the initiatives he started in his rural community continued to thrive.
He showed no sign of slowing down either, with his feet firmly planted in "quite a few camps" and a full calendar of meetings every week.
Mr McKee played for Waikaia Rugby Football Club and by 1978 he was on the board.
As his wife and children were equestrians, he later got involved with that too.
"Once you get involved, you just carry on making things happen," he said.
In addition to roles as board member and treasurer, he has served as chairman and president for 17 groups including the Waikaia Domain Board for more than 22 years.
On top of that, the sheep, beef and dairy farmer has chaired showjumping New Zealand for six years and Southland Country Rugby Club for seven.
He has volunteered his time as an Equestrian Sports New Zealand showjumping judge for 29 years and in 2011 gained international accreditation, officiating 21 FEI World Cup Competitions.
He was also a member of the Waikaia Volunteer Brigade for 26 years, serving as the deputy chief fire officer from 2005 to 2006.
His involvement in the rugby community led him to act as the Northern Southland junior and senior rugby delegate for more than 30 years, coaching junior rugby for 11 years as well.
He sat on the Rugby Southland board selection panel for more than 14 years.
With everything he has been involved in, he said he was lucky that there were others that were just as passionate.
Most importantly, he could not have done "all these things" — over 40 years of organising and administrating — without the support of his wife, Carol.
Together for 44 years, Mr McKee said Carol had volunteered alongside him as well as keeping things running at home and on the farm.
"You can’t do it by yourself," he said.
Malcolm Ian McKee
Gore
MNZM
Sport
