News - November 2006

Pride of Workmanship Award

'Pride of Workmanship' was a project launched by Rotary Club Australia in 1975. The aim was to encourage a much-needed pride in personal performance in the workplace.

Over 600 Rotary Clubs in Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific, Malaysia, Canada and the United States have adopted the program.  

The Pride of Workmanship Award is designed to acknowledge an employee, irrespective of age or vocation, who, in the eyes of his or her employer, displays outstanding qualities in approach, attitude, dedication and commitment to his or her job.  

One of this year’s recipients was Ian Payne from the Tile Centre. His award was presented by Michael Weusten, President (2006-2007), Invercargill Sunrise Rotary Club before 75 members and guests. 

Ian was encouraged out of retirement to assist the Tile Centre as their Technical and Quality Supervisor, when our previous Tiling Supervisor and Manager left the company at short notice.  

Ian left Southland Technical College at the end of 1951 after two years secondary schooling and commenced an apprenticeship as a Plaster/Tiler with AJ Allen in January 1952.  Ian worked for them for eight years, then went to work for some bricklayers to learn the bricklaying trade as well.  After this period Ian returned to Plastering and Tiling working for MJ Boyer for thirteen years with some of these as Foreman. 

In 1975 Ian commenced business on his own account as Ian Payne Plastering and Tiling, at one stage employing 15 staff, but mostly four to six staff, including apprentices.

Contracts completed have included ANZ Bank Tay Street (now a car park), Trust Bank Arcade, BNZ Kelvin Street, National Bank Kelvin Street, Ascot Hotel, Terraces Hotel Queenstown, ANZ Bank Queenstown, Westpac Bank Queenstown, several Freezing Works and Splash Palace.  Throughout Ian’s career Ian has worked on many notable buildings in Invercargill including Commercial Bank Dee Street, Kew Hospital, the Menzies Building and the Civic Administration building.  Ian’s company was the first to introduce the Polystyrene system on houses in Southland.  With a penchant for banking he obviously was planning an inside job!!

Ian is also very involved with bowls and the Presbyterian Church serving as both an Elder and Deacon.

As well as jumping into the deep end with the Tile Centre leaving a well deserved retirement, Ian became fully involved with apprentice training, measure and quoting, assisting the sales ladies with technical advice in our shop and was even persuaded to do some plastering at the Ascot Hotel.

We at the Tile Centre truly owe Ian a huge vote of thanks for his efforts on our behalf and although Ian has already assisted in our succession planning by finding us a new Tiling Supervisor, Ian will still be seen around the company as our Estimator carrying out the Tile Centre’s measure and quotes.

Thank you again Ian for your excellent skills, commitment and example. You are held in high regard from your peers and are a truly worthy recipient for the Rotary Pride in Workmanship Award.

Sadly Ian passed away in February 2007. He will be sorely missed.