Simon Gundry is a Devonport and North Shore identity, and character, who is known for calling a spade a spade. He is a director of contracting company Gill & Gundry, is an enthusiastic sailor (past crew-member of Ceramco New Zealand, Lion New Zealand and Shockwave) and is a life member of the North Shore Rugby Football Club. Simon was awarded a QSM for services to the community in 2013. More recently, he was inducted into the North Harbour Business Hall of Fame. He has been writing this thought-provoking column for Channel from the very first issue (over 14 years ago!).
It was so sad to hear recently of the passing of the oldest life member of the North Shore Rugby Club, Don McKay, All Black Number 618.
Don played 12 matches for the All Blacks in early 1960s, spanning over three seasons, including five test matches, scoring 18 tries.
Don wasn’t a big man by today’s standards, but what he lacked in size he made up for in speed and skill. As a youngster I spent a bit of time listening to his tales of rugby games, as I was 10 years old when he first made the All Blacks. He lived locally in Tainui Road, with his two brothers and two sisters. I remember going past his house in the early '60s with friends Ross and Rusty Willis, and Per Parlane, and looking in saying to each other “That’s where the All Black Don McKay lives” before scurrying back down the road to the rugby field.
Don went to Takapuna Grammar School where he became a member of the First XV in 1954; he also did very well in other sports, and was the sprint champion and a fine swimmer.
Don first played for Auckland in 1958 as a 21-year-old, after being discovered by the wonderful All Black coach, Fred Allen. Don played in the wonderful Auckland Ranfurly Shield era, and later on played with Wilson Whineray, Waka Nathan, Mac Herewini, Terry Lineen, and Paul Little. All those players went on to have spectacular All Black careers.
Don finally got picked for the All Blacks in 1961 for the test at Eden Park against the first French touring side to venture to New Zealand. The first touch of the ball, he scored a try. An injury in 1962 curtailed any further All Black performances, but in 1963 he came back into the All Blacks playing both test matches against England, scoring a try in his final test. For some reason, known only to the selectors at that time, Don failed to make the team that toured Britain, Ireland and France during 1963-64 – a big 36 match tour. I know that Don was very saddened at missing that, as it turned out to be the most epic tour, with the All Blacks playing the 36 games over four months, losing just one and drawing one. It still goes down as one of the greatest All Blacks tours ever.
Over the years Don became a life member of the North Shore Rugby Club, the New Zealand Barbarian Rugby Club and Auckland Rugby Union. Don was often seen down supporting the cub’s teams over the years after his retirement; he was always a Shore man and he will be sadly missed.
Don was farewelled at the Devonport Holy Trinity Church in February on a beautiful day surrounded by hundreds of his family and friends. There was a quick cup of tea and a scone at the newly renovated church hall, before the crowd trekked down Vauxhall Road and turned right to walk across the hallowed Vauxhall Road rugby ground before entering the club to share memories and a cold beer. A special afternoon to remember this wonderful man.
I can’t believe the hideous apartments they are building on Esmonde Road, it looks like it has been designed by a Russian architect out of the old Soviet bloc. I drive by it at least twice a day, and think surely something better could have been designed for the beautiful piece of land. Anyway, that’s only one man’s opinion.
Here’s a bit of new age woke for you: on 14 February, which happened to be Valentine’s Day, the Grafton Cricket Club, whose headquarters is at the beautiful Victoria Park, were supposed to have their monthly meeting. They cancelled it for that reason and rescheduled it for 7pm Wednesday 21 February which happened to coincide with the first T20 game with New Zealand v Australia. What spectacular timing.
An interesting lesson that Kiwi Rail should have already learned, is "measure twice and cut once" with regards to 16km of rail laid in the wrong gauge in the Wairarapa. This will hold up commuters again for another couple of months.
It’s been a horrendous February for traffic on Lake Road. Some contractors with 20 men and a thousand road cones, putting in a pathetic small concrete pad no bigger than 12 m2 close to Hauraki to sit a telecommunication box on. Anyway I won’t go on again, you all know how I feel about this needless disruption as I have talked about this many times. Nothing will happen and nothing will change.
Well, we’ve had a good summer, finally, after the horrendous January and February last year. I’m hoping for a couple more months of good weather so we can continue to enjoy the outdoor life. There’s nothing better than a swim after work and a cold beer on the deck after.
