By Jake Beleski
Crimestoppers Trust founder John Perham was always an optimist, but even he could not have predicted just how successful his trust would turn out to be.
The Carterton resident was rewarded for that positive attitude yesterday when he received his insignia as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to philanthropy and the community.
The trust is a charity, independent from police, where people can anonymously provide information about crime and wrongdoing.
Mr Perham said initially he was unsure what sort of effect his project would have on the community.
“I’m an optimistic and hardworking individual, but I didn’t have any idea how successful it would be. When you start off with something that invites the public to communicate you don’t know whether they will take it up or not.”
The trust had gone from strength to strength and had surpassed his personal expectations, he said.
“It has been hugely successful and I suppose it’s gone from being an interesting idea that could work, to being a vital channel of information for police intelligence purposes.”
The project was built around a team of people coming together to fulfil a purpose, rather than the success of one man, he said.
“I feel very humbled to be recognised but like most things it was a team effort and the captain takes the cup – and I just happen to be the captain.”
Mr Perham was supported by his wife Amanda, daughter Sophie and son-in-law Simon, and said to be recognised alongside other successful people was especially pleasing.
“To listen to each person’s citation, they’re all different and they’ve all made different sorts of contributions. I just hope mine is thought of in the same way.”
His career included directing a number of state-owned enterprises, running a large superannuation fund, contributing to the restructuring of the government of Victoria and being tax commissioner for the New Zealand Government.
He was also a key driver of the Safer Schools initiative which contributed to a substantial reduction in burglaries and property damage across the education sector.
Each part of his career had been a stepping stone to his success, he said.
“Each of them has been different and special. In their own way each has built on the others – I’m where I am today as a consequence of all that experience.”
