Bill Donaldson Receives King's Service Medal

Bill Donaldson has been collecting records of Southland cricket matches since before most people were born. On Thursday he collected something else — a King's Service Medal, presented at the Civic Theatre by Invercargill Mayor Tom Campbell on behalf of King Charles.

Donaldson, known formally as William Alexander Donaldson KSM, was named in this year's King's Birthday Honours for more than 50 years of service to the Southland construction industry and community cricket. The turnout surprised him. He'd expected a quiet room.

"It's been excellent – we really only expected to have 10 or a dozen, but the names kept coming in. It really made me smile," he said. About 30 friends and family were there in the end.

As for wearing the medal around the house — he's not planning on it. "No, I don't think so. If I went out in the garden or something, it might get lost."

Mayor Campbell said he was privileged to present it. "Bill has demonstrated a spirit of community and generosity over many years, and his continued advocacy and leadership has had a profound impact on the lives of others," Campbell said. "His tireless work has made a lasting contribution not only to the people of Southland, but to people throughout New Zealand. It was an honour to be able to play a role in congratulating him today."

Donaldson's citation paints a picture of someone who built things and then made sure others didn't get hurt doing the same. He founded and remains Managing Director of Donaldson Construction Services, which has led major Southland projects including the Southland Hospital redevelopment, the St Mary's Basilica restoration, and the Southern Institute of Technology.

He has been involved with Site Safe New Zealand since its establishment — one of only five people awarded life membership — and kept Gold Level SiteWise accreditation for his firm for more than a decade. He also contributed to the Otago Southland Construction Health and Safety Liaison Group.

On the cricket side, Donaldson served as President of both the Appleby Cricket Club and the Southland Cricket Association, and holds life memberships in both. He co-authored Appleby's centennial book 'Across the Centuries' and personally compiled records for more than 1200 matches dating back to 1900.

The council flew its Coat of Arms to mark the occasion.