A former president of the South Canterbury Justices of the Peace Association Council has been named the recipient of the newly-revived Leo Farthing Memorial Award.
Ahead of the association’s centenary celebration in two years time, discussions were held on which traditions could be revived.
One suggestion was bringing back the Leo Farthing Memorial Award, which had been awarded in the past to recognise the outstanding skills and efforts of an individual justice of the peace (JP) in the South Canterbury Association.
At the weekend, Michael Maynard was presented with the special award at a ceremony held at the Hato Hone St John Lounge in Timaru.
Mr Maynard was born in North Otago and as an 18-year-old, joined the Public Trust Office in Oamaru in 1966.
In 1972, after a half-year stint in Australia, he returned to New Zealand and began work for Petrie, Mayman, Timpany Law in Timaru.
In 1976 he was admitted as a fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives.
By 1990 the law firm merged to become the new firm Petrie, Mayman and Clarke.
Mr Maynard was appointed a JP in 1998 and soon afterwards was elected to the association council in 2000.
He became the treasurer for the association in 2002, was elected as vice-president in 2006 and then served as the president from 2008-2010.
In 2023 he became the rosterer and organiser for the association’s service centre, attending each Saturday to assist the public and other JPs.
Mr Maynard had been on the association council for 24 years but did not seek re-election in 2025 and now served an advisory role and assisted with training.
The association also acknowledged the work of his wife Vera, who had also provided plenty of help to them over the years.
The association will consider the award annually but is not required to award it. — Allied Media
