'Scripto' a tribute to a very special Petone character!

Mike Whatman

It seemed like the end of an era when at the recent Petone RFC annual general meeting John Grace declined nomination for the office of membership secretary, a position he has held since 1963.

His decision was something of a surprise to most members because in fact John’s lengthy tenure of the position was almost taken for granted because he worked so unobtrusively and without fuss for those many years. He was unpretentious yet efficient and a stickler for detail.

John’s duties encompassed a wide range of tasks such were the demands of the position. His knowledge of the history of the club and the many members of it was encyclopedic and without question, a rare gift.

He was never without pen or paper with which to record information and even minor items of interest as he built up depositary of records and data so detailed and invaluable to the clubs history. In fact early on he acquired the very appropriate sobriquet “Scripto”.

And during those long years , while everyone was enjoying themselves at after match functions John was invariably seeking out Team Managers and captains for details of every match played, team results and scorers besides keeping out an eagle eye for those players or members overdue with their annual subscriptions. It was sometimes amusing to study John’s methods of counteracting the more “elusive” debtors who thought they had escaped his net!

As the clubs statistician his records could not be challenged due to his accuracy and uncanny memory of facts.

In addition to this workload of course it was his responsibility to prepare the Annual General Report for publication which is a task requiring great concentration and again, attention for detail. It is a sobering thought to consider he was responsible for the preparation of forty four such editions. Sometimes a frustrating job seeking team reports from tardy managers with deadlines to meet and time running out.

Another responsibility was the writing of the club newsletter, “Village Viewpoint” a welcome initiative which for many years John produced monthly during the playing season. This required a lot of his time as it was of several pages of material, always looked forward to.
Of course in recent years financial restrictions had reduced the publication to a one page spread. (Village Viewpoint is now a weekly E-news letter emailed out to over 1,000 addresses).

John Petone born and bred joined the club in his Teenage years, played in the junior grades until his lack of size became a restriction and he retired from active play to stand for the position of assistant secretary (that office later to be designated that of Membership secretary).

At that time he also turned his attention to Rugby refereeing and was active in that capacity till a few short years ago. He served in an official capacity for the Wellington Referees Association for many years as well.

A keen tennis player his summer sport also intruded into his time administratively as for many years he was an organizer for the annual North Island Catholic tennis tournament.

A ‘confirmed’ Bachelor John also found time to fashion out an enviable career as a long serving civil servant!

It seemed a just reward as long ago as 1977 that he was honoured with life membership of the Petone RFC. An accolade not given lightly. Now almost 30 years later it is to be wondered in John’s unique case if there should be further recognition for such long and honorable service.

Maybe a gold star to that special tribute- an honorary Knighthood perhaps- The title 'Sir John' would fit well on his shoulders!!
(Footnote John Stewart Grace was awarded the QSM in the 2007 New Years honours list.)

I am equally honoured to write this tribute.

Mike Whatman.

P.S. John was a loyal supporter of several overseas Petone tours, to South Africa in 1974 and particularly to the UK, in 1987 when he went through a mock marriage ceremony to Peggy Entwhistle at Gretna Green, So close yet so far!!

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