A local man has been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday and Platinum Jubilee Honours.
Mike Cole of Somerville has been awarded the Queen’s Service Medal for services to the Coastguard and the RSA.
Cole has been a member of Howick RSA since 1967, holding all executive roles over the years including president from 2006 to 2008, 2013 to 2015 and 2017 to 2018.
He has been the Youth Council Delegate, 40 Squadron Air Training Corps Liaison Officer and has been on the Howick RSA Community Trust since 2011.
Cole has been Anzac Day Parade Commander for Howick since 1988, which has involved liaising with the Auckland Council, NZDF, schools, local groups and VIPs.
He has organised the Howick Dawn Parade since 2006. He was appointed a Trustee of ATC 40 Squadron in 2017 and was organiser for the Armistice Day centenary commemoration.
He joined the Howick Volunteer Coastguard in 1988 and was a Senior Master from 2002 to 2018. He has spent an estimated 11,000 hours on the water volunteering with the Coastguard over the years. He has taught hundreds of volunteers at Howick and other Auckland units over the past 32 years as a skipper.
He became a Coastguard Education Tutor in 2000 and has taught VHF Radio, GPS and Day Skipper courses to around 600 boat owners from the community.
Cole is a Life Member of Howick Volunteer Coastguard and the RSA.
He told the Times he was very surprised when he received the email informing him he was being put forward for the QSM award and then receiving the confirming letter a month or so later.
“I am very humbled that my peers would consider me as a worthy recipient,” Cole said.
“To be honoured by your peers is incredibly gratifying and I am thankful to my colleagues from the Coastguard and the Howick RSA for this recognition.
“I also recognise the part my wife and family played in this award and the support given so that I could pursue my interests.
“To receive the Queen’s recognition in her jubilee year is also very special and most pleasing to a returned serviceman.”
