A former District Court Judge, New Zealand Parole Board Convenor, Liquor Licensing Authority Chairman, and CCOBA President, Bill Unwin QSO (5899) sets the benchmark in public service and legal leadership.

Describing his time at College as “close to idyllic”, Timaru-born Bill joined the Flower’s House community in 1950, arriving from Waihi School.

“I arrived when College was at the crossroads,” he recalls. “The Headmaster, Reginald Richards, died while I was there, and Reg Hornsby arrived some two years later. By chance, the young men who arrived at the school in 1950 turned out to be good leaders and role models in all fields of endeavour. According to teacher and 1st XV coach Mr Norman, the class of 1950 ‘lifted the school over the next five years to a much needed level’.

“My favourite subjects were Latin and History, although according to Mr Hornsby, I just ‘cruised along’. However, my best memory was making the 1st XV as fullback. We won every game. I was a reserve for the first game against St Andrew’s College. The late Jack Hazlett, who became an All Black, was playing at fullback and broke his arm during the game, so I came on and never left. I also have fond memories of my Housemaster, Mr Solomon, and my Music teacher, Mr Poole, and we all admired and treasured Mr Hornsby.”

Reflecting on his College years, Bill, 89, believes that the school has helped to shape his career while his peers have inspired his commitment to service.

He discovered his career calling at College following a visit by Austen Young, “a well-regarded Christchurch lawyer who adjudicated my school debate”.

“Afterwards, he took the trouble to speak with me and suggested that I become a lawyer,” Bill says. “And so it came to be.”

While completing his Law degree at the University of Canterbury Bill also gained his first position as a law clerk with Lane, Neave, and Wanklyn.

“This was in the days when, halfway towards attaining a degree, we worked in law firms and attended lectures early in the morning and later in the evening.”

Bill then joined a law firm in Timaru, becoming a partner four years later. He held that position with Scott Bradley & Unwin for 20 years before being appointed to the District Court bench in 1981.

During his career, Bill was also the Chair of the Liquor Licensing Authority for New Zealand and chaired the three Canterbury-based District Prisons Boards. For many years, he listened to both those applying for parole and the victims of crimes, weighing up a decision that was fair.

When he retired in 2010, Bill continued with a liquor licensing role on a pro bono basis for a further 10 years.

Following his retirement, Bill was awarded the Queen’s Service Order (QSO) for services to the judiciary.

When asked how it felt to be recognised for his wide-ranging service to the law, Bill recalls that “embarrassment was my main reaction and I still feel it today”.

“I think I was my greatest critic, and I used to worry about making the right decision,” he says. “To me, it was a privilege being made a District Court Judge – something I never considered until I was approached.”

Now based in Nelson, Bill is still serving his community as Treasurer of the Mapua Hall Committee but plans to “retire next year when I turn 90”. He was also a volunteer life writer for the Nelson Tasman Hospice, interviewing people in their final months to capture their ‘life story’ so that those memories were not lost to their families.

However, Bill’s proudest achievements are “being married for 66 years, raising four children, acquiring nine grandchildren, and being presented with three-and-a-half great-grandchildren, along with being the CCOBA President in 2000 – the 150th anniversary year”.