Volunteer rewarded for his life philosophy

ROB MAETZIG rob.maetzig@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki | Monday, 31 December 2007

Thirty-five years' service to the Taranaki region in a wide variety of ways has been rewarded for New Plymouth's Lynn Bublitz, who has been made a companion of the Queen's Service Order in the New Year Honours.


Mr Bublitz said he was thrilled to have received the award, but the real honour was "being part of making a positive difference".

His many contributions have included local government, arts, education and community organisations.

Volunteering is part of Mr Bublitz' life philosophy. He believes it is voluntary effort that makes a good society.

"I hope I've been able to live that philosophy," he said.

The list of causes Mr Bublitz has given his time to shows he has well and truly lived up to his own expectations.

A New Plymouth District councillor for 18 years and deputy mayor, Mr Bublitz established the council's iwi liaison sub-committee and forged strong partnerships with the district's iwi.

He was instrumental in establishing New Plymouth's Puke Ariki museum and library complex, and was a trustee of the Taranaki Arts Festival trust for 17 years.

Mr Bublitz has also been heavily involved in the instigation and organisation of Womad, the Taranaki Youth Festival, and the Taranaki Festival of the Arts.

A member of the board of the Pukeiti Rhododendron Trust for 35 years and at times its chairman, he headed a fundraising campaign in 2002 to save the garden, was the fundraiser for Pukeiti's 50th jubilee, and was made a life member in 1989.

Mr Bublitz was principal of Inglewood High School for more than 10 years, a teacher at New Plymouth Boys' High School for more than 25 years, was a mentor with the First Time Principals Programme, and was awarded a Wolf Fisher Scholarship in 1985.

He has also been involved in many other community organisations, including the LA Alexander Agriculture College Trust Board, the Unesco Science Committee, and the Te Papa National Services Committee.