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ALLAN TODD
At the Tawa Community Civic Awards in July 2008 a special award for Excellence in Community Service was presented to a person who was described by one of those nominating him as being "into everything". As you can read below for yourself, Allan Todd does play a prominent part in the life of many organisations in Tawa.
As he is the very first person interviewed for our "2 Minutes with ..." series, we were privileged to learn a little more about an individual of whom it has been said: "If Tawa had an elder statesman, he would fill the role admirably."
Where were you born, Allan?
Benhar, South Otago.
Where did you grow up?
Dunedin from age 10 onwards.
What high school/university did you go to?
Kings' High School (boys) in Dunedin; Otago University (accounting); B.A. at University of South Africa (Pretoria).
What was your line of work before retirement?
Management roles based on accounting. I was working with BP before retiring.
Married to?
Marjorie (born in Seychelles, but we met in New Zealand).
What are your interests/hobbies?
Administrative work with various organisations such as U3A Tawa, Friends of Tawa Bush Reserves, Tawa Historical Society, Wellington Male Voice Choir, Tawa Union Church Men's Group, Rotary Club of Tawa (past president & Paul Harris Fellow); also stamp collecting (especially Seychelles & Africa), gardening, Tawa Police Base volunteer, Tawa Union Church work, Redwood Club.
How long have you lived in Tawa?
Since about 1975.
What do you think is great about Tawa?
The local community as a family.
What, if anything, would improve Tawa?
We could do with more facilities for young people, arranged by young people.
What is your favourite dessert?
Apple pie and cream, also apple crumble.
Favourite sports team?
The Highlanders.
Favourite style of music?
Classical music - undoubtedly.
Favourite holiday destination in New Zealand?
Lake Tarawera.
Favourite sayings?
"Never miss a good chance to shut up."
"God's best gift to us is not things but opportunities."
If you could meet any three people (alive or dead), who would they be?
Martin Luther King; Socrates; Nelson Madela.
What three things would you take with you if you were stuck on a desert island?
A good book, a good dessert, a good friend.
What is one talent you would like that you do not have?
A good singing voice.
What is one talent you have that you could not do without?
A friendly disposition.
What is one accomplishment/achievement in your life that gives you much satisfaction/pride?
Introducing the computer to Dadaya Secondary School, Zvishavane, Zimbabwe, in the 1990s. Learning as I went I set up basic accounting systems (with second hand computers from New Zealand) and then the school set up a training course in word processing and very basic accounting.
What are two things you would like to do before you die?
I would like to make sure my five grandchildren get to live in a loving and caring world;
I would like to see violence and war eliminated.
Compiled June 2009.
More about Allan Todd here.
Allan passed away in June 2013. See an article entitled "The Passing of Allan Todd - Tawa's Elder Statesman" in the Tawa community eNewsletter here.
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