Obituaries

Don Davidson - National LIfe Member - RIP

Twenty nine Eagles attended the funeral of long-standing national life member, Don Davidson, in torrential rain in Hastings on Monday 5 September.
 
Fellow national life members, Peter Skou and Mike Jones from Manawatu-Wanganui, travelled from Marton in the dreadful weather to pay their respects to Don, who had been an Eagle in Hawke's Bay since 1975, being a past secretary-treasurer and auditor for the Bay for a number of years, as well as becoming a life member and our patron until 2019.  In addition, he was the national secretary in 1990-1991, joining his great friend Fred Spinley on the executive. 
 
Don farmed at Mangaorapa and played his early golf there, before becoming a long-time member of Waipukurau, and ending his playing days at the Hawke's Bay Golf Club.
 
He will be long remembered as a proud, hard-working Eagle who epitomised our society's aims and objectives.  He was a keen and regular convention-goer with his beloved Clare, and as the conventions usually coincided with his birthday, he was generous in supplying his many friends with the ubiquitous Famous Grouse, of which he seemed to have an unending supply.
 
At his funeral, HB life member Kevin Pike gave a eulogy on our behalf, and friend, Noel Gallien, talked of the early days when he and Don were farming neighbours.  NZ Patron Kevin Murphy was unable to attend, but sent his condolences to the family.

 Brian Kingsford Osmand - passed away 14 March 2021 in his 92nd Year

Brian, known to most just as BK, was the last remaining ‘group of nine’ golfers who back in June 1956 after a very hard-fought Auckland Winter Championship, sitting having a beer in the 19thdecided the time was right for them to put something back into the game of golf. From this discussion and others that followed closely after The Eagles Golfing Society began in Auckland. Over time the concept spread to other Provinces throughout the Country. There were many similarities between the Regions with all having as their main goal being ‘to support and prosper junior golf throughout New Zealand. In June 1963 came the formation of The Eagles Golfing Society of New Zealand.

The Eagle we all proudly wear on our Red Jacket was designed by Brian. Another of Brian’s achievement or legacy came in 1969. Being asked by Sir Murray Halberg if he could arrange a game of golf with the legendary Jesse Owens NZ. Seeing this as an opportunity Brian in conjunction with another Eagle Leo Hendrey ran what I believe was the first N.Z. golf fundraising event, the inaugural Halberg Fundraising Tournament.

In 2000 he was made Patron of the NZ Eagles a position he held until 2016 and 2008 he was made a Life Member of our Society. Brian Osmand was a very good golfer, a man who lived life to the full, was a fantastic storyteller and a person who will be greatly missed.

A ‘Celebration of his Life’ will be held at the Remuera Golf Club on Sunday 21 March at 3pm. Any Eagle who wishes to attend may do so and join the Auckland & Nth Harbour Eagles Guard of Honour. My understanding is a private family farewell took place today

Our thoughts and condolences have been given to his wife Pat and the extended Osmand Family.

Rest in Peace Brian