Old Boy of the Year, 2023

The Old Boy of the year is Wayne Guppy (Stream 1968 - 1972)

 

 

Wayne Noel Guppy (Stream 1968-72) is the 2023 Old Boy of The Year recipient of the Felix Kane Cup. Wayne has given a lifetime of service within various communities.

Leadership and Building Communities is the metaphor which explains the public life of Wayne Guppy.

Throughout his life, Wayne has been a leader in his community.

• Lecturer in Clinical pharmacy (and a Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Nebraska Medical Centre)
• Chairman of the pharmacy practice department at the old CIT
• Local Pharmacist with his wife Sue at Guppy’s Dispensary, 53 Main Street Upper Hutt, serving the local community.
• Coach of the Swindale Shield winning Upper Hutt Rugby team.
• President of the Upper Hutt Rugby Club
• Coach of the Wellington Development Rugby Team.
• Mayor of Upper Hutt
• Deputy Chair of the Capital Coast & Hutt Valley DHB
• Chair of the Wellington Region Mayoral Forum
• A board member of Orongomai Marae in Upper Hutt
• President of the Wellington Racing club

This is just to mention a few!

The Guppy family have had a long association with St Patrick’s College, Silverstream. Wayne was a student at the college between 1968-72, a prefect in 1972 and over the last 40 years, the Guppy name has been associated with Silverstream rugby.  Wayne himself coached the First XV with Welsh International Robert Ackerman, Wayne’s father, Colin & brother, Mark either coached or managed and Wayne played in the 1971-72 sides and Mark, in the unbeaten 1973 side.

Wayne has always been a friend of the old boy’s association, either presenting awards at functions or giving celebrity cameo roles in our videos, Wayne has always been available to help.

Wayne Guppy is a Hutt icon, a local treasure and “world famous in the Hutt” A popular figure and always recognized.

Truly famous people, due to their popularity or fame, somehow lose their name which is then replaced with a mononym; for example, Madonna, Lourde or even Winston. The Upper Hutt equivalent must be Wayne Guppy – colloquially known as “Gup”.

Upper Hutt qualified as a city in 1965 and this status was officially conferred the following year in 1966, with Upper Hutt becoming a city council. Maybe this is where the Wayne Guppy story started?

Since 1966 Upper Hutt has had five Mayors and during those 57 years, a St Pats Old Boy has led the city for 46 of those 57 years, firstly, Rex Kirton (S 55-60) from 1977 until 2001 and then Wayne Guppy from 2001 until now.  When people say to me, how do you become the Mayor of Upper Hutt, I simply reply, the prerequisite is being a member of the St Pat’s Silverstream First XV. (Rex was Captain in 1960 and Wayne was a member 1971 & 72)

Wayne has been the Mayor of Upper Hutt for 22 years. Last year Wayne won his eighth term as Mayor, a record that makes him one of New Zealand’s longest serving mayors. The longest servicing Mayor was Sir Tim Shadbolt who did 24 years consecutively as the Mayor of Invercargill. Wayne should at least, equal that record this term.

Wayne Guppy’s name is intertwined with the city itself and the region – and why is this?

I believe it’s to do with simple values and his vision for his community!

• Wayne Guppy has been a leader who is present, he has been attentive & always welcoming and knows everyone (and I mean everyone!)  in Upper Hutt individually!  (Presence)
• Wayne is honest, genuine, and straightforward and has led his community with modesty and humility. (Simplicity)
• Upper Hutt has always been a place where you can bring up your children and a place to raise a family. That has always been Wayne Guppy’s vision for his community!  (Family Spirit)
• Wayne Guppy has always been ready to “roll up his sleeves’ and get the work done. A strong and brave leader that isn’t scared to shy away from difficult problems. Paul Swain (previous Remutaka MP, Cabinet Minister & Regional Councilor) once mentioned that Wayne Guppy was one of the bravest political leaders he knew! (Love of Work). An example of this was his battle against the Upper Hutt & Lower Hutt Police District merger in 2009.
• Finally, Wayne Guppy has proved over 22 years he has a love of public service and as previously mentioned, has serviced with modesty and humility!  (in the way of Mary)

The above values are similar & co exist conveniently with Marist values and what was & still is taught at this college.

The Felix Kane Cup for St Patrick’s College Old Boy of the year is all about promoting the betterment of the people of New Zealand which includes “service” and leadership of that community.

Felix Kane, himself was all about longevity of service; he served the St Pats Community from 1946 until his death in 2009.

Wayne Guppy has assiduously adhered to those principles of service as a leader in local body politics and for the community of Upper Hutt & the greater Wellington region. I can only assume that a reason for this longevity in the role, appears to be the community being very grateful for that quality service and leadership which he has given.

President Harry Truman said “an honest public servant can’t become rich in politics. He can only attain greatness and satisfaction by service”, and as mentioned throughout this speech, Service & leadership is a big part of being a true Patrician and one well worthy of this award!

Yes, Wayne Guppy is your quintessential boy from the Hutt. As I look into my crystal ball, of all things quintessentially made in the Hutt, maybe the final unwritten chapter of this story, possibly, is that we are seeing the inaugural Mayor of a combined Hutt City, however that’s for the future!

The 2023 St Pats Old Boy of the year is Mayor Wayne Guppy!