Dr Nick Crozier (right), retiring president and Life Member of the Wairarapa Woodworkers’ Guild, with new president Jim Philp. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
Kevin Ball
The Wairarapa Woodworkers’ Guild has paid tribute to one of its favourite sons, with retiring president Dr Nick Crozier awarded a life membership.
While Dr Crozier is best known for his decades of work in the Masterton medical field, particularly with older people, he is also a highly skilled woodworker, having been instrumental in the guild’s move to its premises in the old trout hatchery.
The Pownall St building, owned by Masterton Trust Lands Trust, was derelict and hadn’t been used for several years when the guild took it over in 2020.
Dr Crozier oversaw its restoration, including painting, installing vandal-resistant polycarbonate windows, and adding an air-filtering system.
Born in Ireland, Dr Crozier studied medicine in Zimbabwe and practised as a GP there for 10 years.
However, when the country entered a period of unrest after its independence in 1980, Dr Crozier decided it was time to secure a more settled upbringing for his family.
He and his family emigrated to New Zealand, and he first began work in Wairarapa as an anaesthetist at the former Masterton Hospital in 1998.
Dr Crozier retired from general practice at Masterton Medical in 2018, after 30 years of providing medical care for the community.
He recently announced his retirement as president of the Woodworkers’ Guild, and will be succeeded by Jim Philp.
Dr Crozier’s celebratory gathering attracted visitors from Wellington and Dannevirke, who took part in an informal competition, contributing a wood-turned egg cup and saucer.
The overall winner was member Matt Chapman.
