Gordon Hughes
Gordon made a significant contribution to school life during his five years. He was deputy head boy in 1957, gained School Certificate, University Entrance and was the winner of the Bell Memorial Scholarship. On the sports field he was also very successful – Rugby 1st XV for three years and a member of the athletics team during 56/57.
On leaving Gordon attended Auckland University and graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering and a Management Diploma.
He has worked in the Engineering field all his life in various areas of the country. His first appointment was as Consulting Engineer at Hamilton and Rotorua, and then became the Borough Engineer in Cambridge from 1967-1973. From 1974 Gordon was a Consulting Engineer Principal (Civil and Structural) in Hamilton then had offices at Hamilton and Whangaparaoa from 2005. In 1974 he became the Managing Director Civil Engineering Construction Company until 1980. Presently he is working at Whangaparaoa.
As well, Gordon has been a part time commercial Pilot for over 30 years. This has involved low level pipeline and wild life surveys. He has worked in General Aviation for approximately 35 years.
Gordon has participated in extensive flying competitions in various countries and has personally travelled to more than 50 countries. An achievement worthy of note for Gordon was becoming the NZ Champion Precision Flying for seven years. He has competed in 10 international events with a best performance as silver medallist in team event and winners of team landing event.
Currently Gordon is working fulltime as a Consulting Engineer as well as volunteer coastguard senior crew member of rescue units on the Hibiscus Coast.
Gordon is the father of three daughters and three stepsons.