Former Queenstown principal and councillor Mel Gazzard remembered as a 'man who got things done'

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Otago News

From reporter Debbie Jamieson:

Mel Gazzard enjoyed hosting visitors, but he could barely sit still chatting for 20 minutes, son Nick said.

“He was just always doing stuff. He didn’t slow down. He was definitely an inspiration for how to live a retirement,” he said.

It was while he was busy fitting a new mast to his yacht Applejack on Sunday that the 77-year-old died of a suspected heart attack.

A former commodore of the Wakatipu Yacht Club, he was preparing for the annual Donald Hay Classic regatta between Kingston and Queenstown, to be held in February, Nick said.

Born in Otautau in Southland, Gazzard and wife Sylvia were teachers who lived and worked all around the South Island and in Australia. But it was Queenstown that captured their hearts when they moved there in 1987.

Gazzard became the principal at Queenstown Primary School, remaining there until his retirement in 2005.

“He just genuinely loved working with kids. He had a passion for getting the best out of them. He knew the name of every kid who came through the school,” Nick said.

There were many. Under his leadership the school roll grew from 200 children to 500.

Many students may remember him for his collection of about 75 colourful ties, which started with a Winnie the Pooh tie gifted by an American school dad.

Queenstown was the perfect environment for an active man who loved the outdoors.

“He was always dragging us around skifields, jet-boating up rivers, climbing mountains and hills. We had a very active childhood,” Nick said.

Until recent years when he had problems with his knees, Mel ran for 30 minutes at 6.30am every day.

“That was every day of the week. He even went on Christmas morning, in the snow or frost, always in his shorts. He might wear a hat in winter.”

He continued skiing and snowboarding with his grandchildren and had a trip planned into the mountains this weekend, Nick said.

Gazzard was also a stalwart of the Wakatipu Rugby Club, including serving time as the president, despite not playing himself since he was a schoolboy.

He just enjoyed being involved in the community, Nick said.

“He was just that kind of guy. They needed a person, so he just stepped into the role. It was the same when he became commodore at the yacht club. That was what he did.”

After retiring from work he served three terms on the Queenstown Lakes District Council.

Former mayor and councillor Vanessa van Uden said he was always one of the highest polling, if not the highest polling councillor at the table.

“Everybody knew Mr Gazzard. He’s such a part of this community,” she said.

At the council table he was a wise head and gave a lot of time and energy to making things work for the community, she said.

Current Queenstown Lakes mayor Jim Boult said he knew Gazzard well, particularly because of his role as principal at the school Boult’s children attended.

“I would describe him as the loveliest bloke you could ever meet. He was just a nice man,” he said.

About two months ago the men caught up at the final of the Central Otago premier club competition, when Wakatipu beat Cromwell.

Once retired, Gazzard and Sylvia spent time boating, fishing and travelling through Europe and America.

“When I look back over the years at all the things we’ve done it’s been quite amazing. We’ve been so lucky,” Sylvia said.

Gazzard did not enjoy being centre stage, preferring to get things done without making a fuss.

“He loved his family. They were the most important thing to him,” she said.

Nick said his father was proud of the way he lived his life.

“He built two houses, was always active and just tried to be a decent human being.”

Gazzard is survived by Sylvia, sons Nick and David, and grandchildren Arnica, 16, and Remus, 15. A funeral date is yet to be set.