Two Gisborne brothers whose surname is almost synonymous with the town, have been recognised with Order of Australia medals (OAM).
Like many siblings who grew up in country towns, Edward and Peter Gardiner have always done everything together.
Both were mechanics at Gardiner’s Garage for 56 years and were the happy helpers welcomed by generations of motorists who found themselves stuck at the side of local roads.
The pair also spent close to 20 years on the field with Gisborne football and cricket clubs, served in various committee roles and were members of the town’s fire brigade.
Edward, 75, said that while it was nice to be recognised, the brothers’ contribution to Gisborne life was ‘‘just what you do’’.
‘‘We’re just ordinary people, really,’’ he said. ‘‘If there’s something that needs to be done, you do it.’’
The family has had a long association with Gisborne, having been among the town’s early pioneers. The garage in which the brothers spent so much of their lives also had deep roots.
‘‘It was the continuation of a family business that started as a blacksmith’s in the 1860s,’’ Edward said.
‘‘Then it was a coachbuilder’s and, when the ‘horseless carriages’ came along, they moved into them … so there we were … continuing that tradition.’’
Peter, 79, said he was pleased to be awarded alongside his younger brother.
‘‘We’ve been in everything together,’’ he said.
Woodend’s Jennifer Holliday was made a member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her services to softball as a player and coach at national and international levels, and as a senior administrator of the game.
