Concrete NZ Acknowledges First Honorary Life Members - David Barnard & Rob Green

Honorary Life Membership recognises individuals for their eminent contribution to the concrete industry. It is the top tier of Concrete NZ membership; the standard to achieve it is set exceedingly high.

To be considered for Honorary Life Membership, a nominee must demonstrate attributes including eminence, sustained leadership and industry mana.

Rob and Sue Green celebrate Rob's 2021 Concrete NZ Honorary Life Membership at the 2022 Conference Awards in Rotorua.

DAVID BARNARD

David started his career in the United Kingdom in 1952 developing his engineering experience in local government, contracting and consultancy before coming to New Zealand in 1974.

Described as a "single-minded advocate for concrete" David spent close to 25-years at the Cement & Concrete Association of New Zealand (CCANZ), including its previous guises of the New Zealand Portland Cement Association and the New Zealand Concrete Research Association. David was also the New Zealand Concrete Society (now the Concrete NZ Learned Society) President from 1987-88.

Image. David Barnard (Concrete NZ Honorary Life Member) and Rob Gaimster (Concrete NZ CEO).

Refer to any technical publication or Standard on concrete or concrete masonry produced since the mid-1970s and chances are David wrote it or was a significant contributor.

Tireless in his efforts to implement relevant research and deliver practical training David always prided himself on developing strong relationships across the construction sector and imparting independent advice.

Examples of David's achievements include the introduction of day-time training for concrete construction workers, the development of the Certificate in Concrete Technology & Construction correspondence course, and an emphasis on durability research that led to a chapter dedicated to the subject in NZS 3101 Concrete Structures Standard.

Although David retired from his role at CCANZ in 1999 he remained busy as a consultant, including being Chair of the New Zealand Ready Mixed Concrete Association (now Concrete NZ) Plant Audit Scheme committee up until recently.

Concrete NZ salutes David for sharing his vision, intellect, wisdom and determination with the concrete industry and wider building and construction sector, and is extremely proud that he is the association’s inaugural Honorary Life Member.

ROB GREEN

Concrete NZ was extremely proud to present Rob Green, recently retired from Higgins Concrete, with Honorary Life Membership.

With close to four decades of experience in the ready mixed concrete industry, Rob was always admired by his staff and colleagues for his excellent planning and organisational skills across all aspects of production and delivery.

Image. Rob Gaimster (Concrete NZ CEO), Rob Green (Concrete NZ Honorary Life Member) and Scott Ferguson (Higgins Concrete).

Rob’s focus on achieving quality outcomes has been to the benefit of many notable construction projects across the lower North Island, including the Te Apiti, Westwind Wind and Turitea wind farms.

During his career Rob served as President of the New Zealand Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NZRMCA) and as a Cement & Concrete Association of New Zealand (CCANZ) Board member.

Always steadfast in his belief that trade training is crucial to a healthy and progressive concrete industry, Rob’s contribution to BCITO - The Building & Construction Industry Training Organisation’s concrete National Advisory Group was instrumental in the ongoing development of many qualifications.

More recently he has been actively involved with the Concrete NZ Readymix Technical Committee and the NZS 3104:2021 Specification for Concrete Production Standards Committee.

Concrete NZ salutes Rob for all that he has achieved for, and given to, the New Zealand concrete industry, and wishes him all the very best as he continues to enjoy retirement.

Concrete NZ also recently recognised Jeff Marchant and Colin Beavis for their exceptional and sustained contribution to the advancement of the concrete industry.