Arise, Sir Brian(s)!
It's a great day for MSP life members named Brian, with two named in the New Year's honours lists. Congratulations to Brian Coulter for his Queen's Service Medal (QSM) for services to rugby, and to Brian McGuinness for his Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to the building industry.
The awards are a tremendous recognition of two individuals who have given unstinting service to MSP and their wider communities over many years. Unlike Graham Henry, however, who is now 'Sir' - a title he says he's used to as a former school principal - both Brians will still be plain 'Brian'. Club members worried about whether to address them as 'M'lud' or 'My liege' on the sidelines at Evans Bay need not be concerned.
The QSM awarded to Brian Coulter is given for 'valuable voluntary service to the community at a local or regional level'. Brian has had over 45 years involvement with Marist rugby, as a player (and Wellington rep) for the Marist club, and as a Jubilee-Cup winning coach and chairman of MSP. He currently heads the club's Rugby Sub Committee and remains in the thick of MSP's day-to-day running.
Brian McGuinness's MNZM recognises 'achievement or service to the community, usually in a national role'. The award reflects the standing of his construction company, LT McGuinness, one of Wellington's top building firms which he runs with his brothers Peter and Jim. While Brian was heading major construction projects he still found time to set up the Shamrock Club and take on the role of MSP chairman.
The club extends its best wishes to both recipients and proudly acknowledges that the calibre of administrators such as the two Brians has driven MSP's success over many years.
Here's the full official honours list and here's how the Dominion Post reported it.
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