'Sir Brians' are honoured at Government House
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| Brian Coulter (left) and MSP President Terry Manion at Government House. |
Two MSP life members and their families made special visits to Government House early in May to receive their honours announced in the New Year.
Brian Coulter was awarded a Queen's Service Medal (QSM) for services to rugby, and Brian McGuinness was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to the building industry.
Brian Coulter, who attended the ceremony with his children and wife Carol, and MSP President Terry Manion representing the club, says it was a great occasion. A QSM is awarded for 'valuable voluntary service to the community at a local or regional level', and Brian has had over 45 years involvement with Marist rugby.
'The honour is something for club rugby and especially all the volunteers, players and supporters past and present of Marist St Pats,' he says. 'My involvement has been a two-way street as I have derived great pleasure from the game and the club, especially at matches which are still humanised with amateurs trying their best with some errors but with a fair amount of skill and desire to succeed.'
A day earlier, Brian McGuinness, his wife Cheryl and their children were at Government House to receive Brian's MNZM.
Brian is a managing director of LT McGuinness, a firm which has a reputation for excellence in heritage, conservation and restoration projects. Government House was familiar territory for him, LT McGuinness having spent two years refurbishing it.
In addition to his work in construction, the award also mentioned his community work such as life membership of MSP and chairing the Board of Proprietors for St Pat's Silverstream.
Brian says the honour is a recognition of his wider family's involvement in the firm, including brothers Peter (construction director) and Jim, who is now retired. Jim, like Brian, is a former chairman of MSP.
The club congratulates both 'Sir Brian's' and their families for the honours.
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