Q When did it all start? When did you really catch North Otago rugby fever?
A Twenty years ago. Me and my brother Steven and Mark Herron were approached to get the supporters’ club up and running again. It had been going beforehand but it had fallen away. We had a bit of a meeting and away we went. We were up to 200 people at one stage, and we’re about 80-odd members now.
Q What’s kept you going all these years?
A Well, I’ve just enjoyed seeing real progress in North Otago rugby. I think club rugby’s got better, and I think North Otago’s done well for a small union. I’ve made some good friends through rugby. And I suppose it’s about the camaraderie, especially when we travel away. We don’t have any rules. We try to behave ourselves — sometimes we don’t, but what goes on tour stays on tour.
Q Favourite place you’ve visited with the supporters’ club?
A When North Otago went up to division two, we went up to Counties-Manukau and beat them. They hated it. They HATED us, mate. They closed the bar down on us and told us to go away. But probably the most different place we’ve been to is up at Ruatoria. It’s just real basic. They’re friendly people. You drive in and see guys on horses, and the kids are always running on the paddock when they’re not supposed to. A good country place, not flash.
Q What keeps you busy outside rugby?
A Work mainly. But I try to get up the lakes as much as possible over summer. The caravan’s normally right beside the lake so we go up and muck around and do a bit of fishing.
Q How long have you been in the petrol station game?
A The family started in 1982. We were in Tees St. Then we came up here to Thames St in 1993. We’re one of BP’s longest-serving customers. It’s great. Where else can you catch up with 500 people a day? It’s changed a lot. When we started, I think there were 21 different outlets for fuel in Oamaru. Every sort of workshop had pumps. Now there are four. The shop side of it has changed a lot. You might have just had a bottle of Coke in the fridge. Now you’ve got muffins, a coffee machine going flat out, the lot.
Q What’s your earliest memory?
A Just growing up at Windsor. Playing with the brothers and sisters — climbing trees, falling out of hedges, lighting fires when we weren’t supposed to.
Q What was the dream? What did you want to be when you grew up?
A I don’t have a clue, really. At high school, it looked like I was going into accountancy or something. I was pretty clever with numbers. I went down for a year at university but it wasn’t really me. Four years at the National Bank then I went into business.
Q What is your most embarrassing memory?
A I don’t get embarrassed. I’d have to ask my wife, Lorraine.
Q What is the most extravagant purchase you have made?
A Tickets to the 2011 Rugby World Cup final at Eden Park. About $1500 each. Right where both tries were scored. Bloody good tickets. It was wonderful. The lady beside me didn’t watch the last 20 minutes. She just put her head in her hands. The old Froggies were dealing to us a bit but it was a great game. We were going to create merry hell afterwards but we didn’t get out of there till after midnight.
Q Who would play you in a movie of your life?
A Some sort of comedian or clown.
Q Billy Connolly?
A No, he swears too much, ha ha. Maybe Kenny Rogers. Here’s a story for you. I almost killed Kenny Rogers. He actually did a concert in Oamaru 30-odd years ago. I was 15, and I’m driving down the street in a Morris 1000. Kenny walks out of the Brydone Hotel and straight on to the pedestrian crossing. The brakes on the old Morrie weren’t that flash and I missed him by about a metre.
Q What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
A Beering and yarning. Too much of both, but I enjoy them.
Q What would your dream job be?
A Anything with a bit of travel in it. Maybe if someone could pay me to follow the Rugby World Cup. Maybe a reporter on a huge budget, ha ha.
Q Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
A Richie McCaw. He intrigues me. I reckon he was a bit of a loner right through his career. Mum and Dad — they’d enjoy Richie’s company. And I really wish I could have met Freddie Mercury. He was awesome. My young fella has Down syndrome and he’s mad for Queen. At Queen’s Birthday he said, "It’s Freddie’s birthday." We’ll crank up the barbecue and then get everyone in the whole family to come by.
Q What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
A If I could be a bit more agile. I bust my leg when I was 30 and that was a bit life-changing. Nine months in plaster. I was go-kart racing and got taken out at 90 mile an hour. I wouldn’t wish that on anybody. So a new leg would be ideal. But I’ve just had to deal with it.
Q What keeps you awake at night?
A Not a lot. I go bed and zonk out. I like to listen to the odd comedy podcast.
Q What song would you like played at your funeral?
A Our version of Country Roads. We sing it wherever we go.
"Almost heaven, North Otago."
