Jim Goodwin KSO – Honours Tie
12 Sep 2025
Exemplifying the school virtues of respect, justice, and compassion, Old Boy Jim Goodwin KSO has been presented with the prestigious Senior Honours Tie by Christ’s College Old Boys’ Association President Blue Henderson during Assembly.
Awarded the King’s Service Order for services to survivors of abuse in care, Jim, 69, has created a support group that continues to have a lasting and positive impact. A former psychiatric nurse who has helped to support and advocate for male survivors of abuse, he has drawn on his personal experiences in the early 1970s.
A true leader, Jim has urged College students “to leave the world a better place than how you found it”, highlighting the importance of speaking out for yourself and others.
“If something bad happens to you or you see something bad happening to someone else, talk about it,” he says. “Bring it out of the dark, but always choose the person to talk to with great care.”
When it comes to today’s Christ’s College generation, he hopes that each boy “will become a good man”.
“It’s about finding out what a good man is, and being a good man,” he explains. “Sometimes it’s good to stand up and be counted. Sometimes there is something to stand up for. You have to choose the hill to die on. It’s enough to treat people well and be good at listening to people. Become a good dad, husband, partner, mate.
“Go where the love is,” he adds. “Who is going to be there when you are going through a tough time. People go through good times and bad times and the people who stick with you are the ones to keep close.”
After navigating his own challenges, Jim has been involved in the mental health sector in a range of roles for most of his working life. However, his introduction came at a young age via Youthline, which provides support to New Zealanders aged from 12–24.
“I was involved with Youthline while a 16-year-old at College,” he says. “I went to my Housemaster and asked if I could take a role with Youthline and he said ‘no, but if you don’t like my decision, you can talk to the Headmaster’. So I talked to Tony Brough, and he said ‘go for it, but you have to wear your school uniform’. So I trotted off in my black and white uniform and answered the Youthline phone with all these hippies.
“When I left school I went to uni but was then attracted to a self-sufficient lifestyle as I loved growing things. However, at 26, I decided to study psych nursing. I really like working with people and am interested in learning about what goes on in people’s heads. I then spent 37 years working at Hillmorton Hospital, and then with Male Survivors Canterbury.
