My Life Story

Queenstown’s probation officer for almost 20 years, Mary Stamers-Smith was not only highly respected by the judiciary, but also by her clients. Her choice of career – social work, may have been a shock and a first for her St Margaret’s Girls College headmistress in Christchurch, but Mary, a deputy head prefect, had read a book inspiring her and there was no stopping her.

She started life on a farm near Whanganui but it was a rainy high school tramping trip to Mount Ruapehu that first drew one of the Wakatipu’s greatest outdoor legends into the hills.

A successful artist for 32 years and a born creative, Gus Watson wasn’t always on the trajectory to a creative career. The youngest son of a well-known Invercargill lawyer, Gus was headed for a legal career, just like his grandfather, father and two brothers before him.

Growing up in Te Anau from the age of two, Hank Sproull, who’s just celebrated 50 years in aviation, was fascinated by light aircraft and hangars from a very young age.

Renowned and adored locally not only for his incredible musical ability, but also his infectious trademark laugh, Mark Wilson has graced more local stages and late night venues than he’s had Fergburgers. The son of an Anglican vicar, Mark has only known blind, but despite that he’s embraced life and all its opportunities with full joy and gusto and the most positive of attitudes. “I guess I’m a glass half full person,” he admits.

The daughter of a Swedish journalist and Kiwi miner, Joan Allan, was born near Greymouth, moving with the family to Dunedin, aged three. Hijinks and hilarity have always been who she is, ordered off the Otago Girls’ High School stage for hysterically laughing while reading a Greek poem. Sadly, Joan’s parents parted when she was 12 and Joan and her brother grew up around the Evening Star newsroom in Dunedin. Her mum covered many a Royal Tour, getting to know many famous people, including Princess Diana’s father.

Renowned locally as one of the Wakatipu’s most popular, fun-loving publicans, former Eichardt’s Tavern owner John Mann was destined for a life in entertainment.

You could say he’s somewhere between a Southern Man with a big heart and New Zealand’s own version of Bear Grylls, but KC Wilson is probably his own unique version of icon.

She was the joyful, welcoming face of Skyline for 23 years, her bright hazel eyes and wide, beaming smile calming many a nervous tourist after they stepped off a hairy gondola ride.

One of Queenstown’s most prominent, long-time resource management lawyers, Graeme Todd arrived in Queenstown for just one year as a 22-year-old, fresh out of Otago University Law School. He’s still practising here 40-plus years later after witnessing many landmark decisions.

As a youngster growing up in Frankton during the 1960s, Paul Wilson enjoyed the life of Riley – summers were hot and winters were big, skating on ice, fishing, biking, and roaming the hillsides.

Owner of iconic local business Stitch N Time for the past seven years, Kate’s planning to close her sewing machine case and open up a new chapter of her life somewhere outside of Queenstown.

A 60s baby, growing up in Levin in the Horowhenua, Kate Pirovano reckons she was the family ‘sports edition’, arriving well after two brothers. “I was horse crazy, a bit of a tomboy so Mum sent me to boarding school in New Plymouth for two years to teach me how to be a lady,” grins Kate.

At 24, Sheila Morris was an accomplished young Christchurch nursing sister on her way to Auckland to join famous cardiothoracic surgeon Sir Brian Barratt-Boyes.

An entrepreneurial spirit comes with the territory when you’re born into Queenstown’s well-known Brown family, and Nigel Brown’s successful business ventures fully reflect that.

Like so many before him Hudson Turnbull came to Queenstown for the ski lifestyle and never left. That was 60 years ago. In that time he’s risen from Coronet Peak ski patroller to district councillor with no sign of slowing on community affairs yet, even aged 77.

Without even trying she’s landed some of Queenstown’s top marketing roles with ease and always delivered with jovial enthusiasm, and it all started straight out of school at Invercargill’s 4ZA Radio Station.

He’s organised do’s for the Queen and birthday bashes at Eichardt’s for friend Kenny Rogers and his band. Legendary Queenstown entertainer and events man Peter Doyle even started Queenstown’s own jazz big band. The son of a well-known professional Sydney pianist, who once played for silent movies, it was inevitable that Peter would have the music in him.