More Opportunities for Service at HBHS

Old Boy Nick Greene attended the Anzac Service held at Hamilton Boys’ High School today.  Mr Greene has served in the Royal New Zealand Airforce and is now the Manager of Habitat for Humanity, an organization dedicated to constructing housing for families in need in New Zealand.  Habitat for Humanity is providing HBHS with a range of service opportunities this year – Mr Greene discussed his school and service experiences, and the achievements of the organization that he now leads.

 What was HBHS like when you were here?

 I was here between ’85 and ’89.  I guess like any school boy, I came straight over from Peachgrove and I didn’t really know what I was coming to, but HBHS really shaped me as a young man.  I started to figure out who I was here and what I wanted to do with my life.  The school itself is a pretty amazing environment.  Susan Hassall (the current Headmaster) was my form teacher in third form.  It was pretty overwhelming being here for the first year or so.  However once you’d found your niche, what you wanted to do, then the school was really supportive.  I guess at the time you don’t really think too much about it, but looking back, you realise what an influence your schooling has.  It’s amazing coming back now and seeing how much HBHS has grown and what a great name it’s got.  I was privileged to come here.

 How would you describe the niche you found?

 I came to Boys’ High and was looking to go into engineering, or something like that.  My Dad was an electrician and so there were a lot of different things I could try: I did engineering, woodwork, technical drawing, physics, all of those things, just to see where I fitted.  School channeled me in the right direction. 

 Can you describe for us what you do now?

 I’m the general manager of Habitat for Humanity.  We are a charity that builds houses for vulnerable, underprivileged people.  That’s a management role I’ve got now; when I left school I actually joined the air force.  That was a completely different track – I never thought I would be where I am now when I went off to join the air force.

 What about this particular management position really appealed to you?

 To me, it’s that giving back, being able to do something that makes a real difference in the community.  There are places where you can go where you make a lot of money, where you can influence the world, and in this role, the things you can do are really diverse.  One minute you’re on a building site with volunteers, with the community all coming out to help a family in need.  At the other end of things, I can find myself in a boardroom with some fairly influential people during working hours.  John Gallagher is the chairman of our board.  There a wide range of things in this role that require quite a diverse skill set. 

 Could you describe a recent success for us?

 We have just recently dedicated our 100^th house.  Over 15 years we’ve built 100 houses over the central North Island.  That is a major achievement for us, when you think about how much it costs to build a single house.  It’s a testimony to the people who started the organization, and the way that it has changes with the times.  We make use of all of our connections, our volunteers on site who help us build the houses, we’ve got good funding through our second hand shops and trust grants.  It’s all about connections, being able to bring all of those things together to get a really positive outcome.  Obviously, at the centre of it all are these families who may be living in really terrible living conditions, or for whom the idea of ever owning their own house is too much for them.  We work with them to realise that dream. 

 In what way could HBHS boys become involved in Habitat for Humanity?

 Swinging a hammer, learning how to build a house.  What really matters is helping the boys become aware that there are people in our communities who are a lot less privileged than many of us.  That was a big thing for me: I grew up in a reasonably privileged environment, so seeing into a part of our community that you don’t normally go into is important.  You realise that you can make a difference when you become involved in something like this.

 As you’re here for our service, what’s the significance of Anzac Day for you?

 It’s amazing to see all of those young men soaking up the tradition and understanding the sacrifice that was made for future generations.  I served in the air force for 12 years and I was fortunate never to go into an active theatre, but at the same time it is always in the back of your mind that you are doing it because you want to protect the lifestyle, the environment and the community that we have here in New Zealand.  Having the recognition here at the school of the Old Boys who have been involved is great.

If you would like to become involved in Habitat for Humanity, see Mr Bair for details.