Finally a Picture!
Has taken a while but finally we have received the pictures of Dad's Investiture at Government House. So here he is - in all his Glory, my father receiving his Membership of the New Zealand Order of Merit. SO SO SO VERY PROUD!!!
Showing posts with label New Years Honours. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Years Honours. Show all posts
22 May 2007
03 April 2007
hens nights, broken heals, investitures at government house
Well what a weekend! As stated not one but TWO hen's nights..... both fabulous nights (broken heal on my boot at Caluzzi aside :o)) Congratulations to Sue and Ngaire on living through them both - but the absolute highlight of the last couple of days has to be Dad's investiture as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit at Government House yesterday.
Alot of people have asked me - well that sounds great but WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN - well the easiest explanation is on the leaflet to the right where it states ".... recognises those persons who in any field of endeavour, have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and nation or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions or other merits..."
Alot of people have asked me - well that sounds great but WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN - well the easiest explanation is on the leaflet to the right where it states ".... recognises those persons who in any field of endeavour, have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and nation or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions or other merits..."
I can also now tell people that Dad is one of a very few select people that have been invited to a dinner party at Government House on Wednesday evening - cor talk about "lives of the blimmin rich and famous" - oh and as a lovely aside to the exciting events of yesterday - we were driving home from Government House (having been delivered in one of the Langham Limousines) and Dad gets a call from the casting lady at Shortland Street and has to rush in there to assist with a voice over requirement they had..... phew what a day!!! and Dad - once again WE ARE SO VERY PROUD OF YOU!!!
12 January 2007
Another Article on Dad - A Life On The Air
Radio star: Bill Leathwick says it was a privilege to be part of the golden era of Kiwi broadcasting.
By Paul Charman (pic. courtesy of Eastern Courier)
Today he voices radio commercials and acts as an extra in movies like King Kong - but in his heyday Bill Leathwick,75, was one of New Zealand's top broadcasters.
When the NZBC ruled the airwaves, Mr Leathwick was a household name, till he deliberately scaled back his profile in the 1980s to curb unwanted celebrity status.
The Pakuranga resident recently earned a New Zealand Order of Merit for services to broadcasting, television and the community, which he says has touched him immensely.
Mr Leathwick, who lives with wife Betty at the Pakuranga Retirement Village, says it was a privilege to serve during the golden years of Kiwi broadcasting.
He began his career in 1950, as a cadet in the accounts department of 3ZB, Christchurch.
Soon the cocky young amateur theatre actor was accepted for announcer training, playing 78 records as an announcer, sharing the bill with Aunt Daisy and even acting in radio plays in his spare time.
Mr Leathwick then walked into broadcasting jobs in Sydney and Tasmania before achieving a regular slot as a senior announcer in Wanganui.
Provincial New Zealand radio stations of the 50s and 60s would be almost unrecognisable today, he points out.
Far from the modern networked content now played, the old breed of station recorded and broadcast a huge amount of local content.
For example, Mr Leathwick presented and produced a children's programme in Wanganui, giving a start to several young musicians who made their mark internationally.
With the rapid growth of television in the 1960s, he found himself working in both TV and radio - announcing, reading news and anchoring everything from sports to through to variety shows.
Mr Leathwick says he felt like, "a big fish in a small pond" and asked to spend the last part of his career away from the spotlight, as an announcer on Concert FM. He sustained a passion for the stage throughout his career, both as an actor and director, and other interests included leading tours overseas and making talking books for the blind.
Mr Leathwick says it was an honour to serve with the likes of Merv Smith, Pete Sinclair and Bob Parker.
"I won't say standards were higher then than now.
"Some things were better, with much more rigorous training and a far wider skills set expected of broadcasters.
"But content was pretty unsophisticated compared to today and we lacked the technical innovation which computers bring.
"Let's just say what we did was right for the times."
By Paul Charman (pic. courtesy of Eastern Courier)
Today he voices radio commercials and acts as an extra in movies like King Kong - but in his heyday Bill Leathwick,75, was one of New Zealand's top broadcasters.
When the NZBC ruled the airwaves, Mr Leathwick was a household name, till he deliberately scaled back his profile in the 1980s to curb unwanted celebrity status.
The Pakuranga resident recently earned a New Zealand Order of Merit for services to broadcasting, television and the community, which he says has touched him immensely.
Mr Leathwick, who lives with wife Betty at the Pakuranga Retirement Village, says it was a privilege to serve during the golden years of Kiwi broadcasting.
He began his career in 1950, as a cadet in the accounts department of 3ZB, Christchurch.
Soon the cocky young amateur theatre actor was accepted for announcer training, playing 78 records as an announcer, sharing the bill with Aunt Daisy and even acting in radio plays in his spare time.
Mr Leathwick then walked into broadcasting jobs in Sydney and Tasmania before achieving a regular slot as a senior announcer in Wanganui.
Provincial New Zealand radio stations of the 50s and 60s would be almost unrecognisable today, he points out.
Far from the modern networked content now played, the old breed of station recorded and broadcast a huge amount of local content.
For example, Mr Leathwick presented and produced a children's programme in Wanganui, giving a start to several young musicians who made their mark internationally.
With the rapid growth of television in the 1960s, he found himself working in both TV and radio - announcing, reading news and anchoring everything from sports to through to variety shows.
Mr Leathwick says he felt like, "a big fish in a small pond" and asked to spend the last part of his career away from the spotlight, as an announcer on Concert FM. He sustained a passion for the stage throughout his career, both as an actor and director, and other interests included leading tours overseas and making talking books for the blind.
Mr Leathwick says it was an honour to serve with the likes of Merv Smith, Pete Sinclair and Bob Parker.
"I won't say standards were higher then than now.
"Some things were better, with much more rigorous training and a far wider skills set expected of broadcasters.
"But content was pretty unsophisticated compared to today and we lacked the technical innovation which computers bring.
"Let's just say what we did was right for the times."
08 January 2007
Oh Such a Proud Daughter
This Years New Years Honours List included my Dad as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for Services to Television, Broadcasting and the Comunity. He was recently interviewed for a local newspaper and I have included a link to that interview here : interview. I am so very very proud and it is something totally deserved. Can't wait to get all tarted off and go along to the investiture at Government House. SO very very thrilled ! GO DAD!!!!!!!!
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