It’s not all about business success; Neville Hucklebridge has helped build a successful and thriving community from grassroots fundraisers to negotiating a new town.

Behind the Brand showcases our innovators, entrepreneurs, small and large business owners, managers, leaders. 

It’s like a backstage pass into the real person behind the success. What makes them tick, what makes them successful. A peek at some of Central Otago’s smartest and most interesting people.

Learn their secrets, get hot tips from those with experience, and discover why you should support their venture.

Long-standing Cromwell Lions Club member Neville Hucklebridge is a different kind of entrepreneur. He was recently recognised and awarded for his services to the community. 

His is a story of helping a whole community to succeed.

At a surprise ceremony last Wednesday night, Cromwell man Neville Hucklebridge was recognised for services to his community and presented with the Melvin Jones Award.

“The whole family had kept me totally in the dark, it was a really nice surprise”, Neville laughs.

Cromwell Lions chair Russell Fowler says the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award, named after the founder of Lions, is the highest-level recognition from the Lions Clubs International Foundation, given only to members in New Zealand who have rendered outstanding services for their community.

“Neville really deserved to receive his award; he’s just someone you can always rely on, whether it’s spear-heading a large project or putting on an apron.

“Even twenty-odd years ago when they did ‘pigs in a barrow’, Neville was the guy running through town, hitting up as many people as possible to raise money for the community.

“Among many other things, he’s also been a strong advocate for the establishment of the Menz Shed in Cromwell.”

Neville stepped up to receive his award at a special ceremony on Wednesday night. Image supplied

Neville has been instrumental in many, many community projects over almost 50 years, including giving Lions women a voice and advocating to re-establish the town of Cromwell after the dam was built.

Neville had moved to Cromwell with his family in 1973, bought the Cromwell Discount Foodcentre in the main street, and joined the still new Cromwell Lions Club.

In the 1980s as Lions President, Neville helped form the Cromwell Lioness club, This was an initiative, his wife Helen says, that empowered a group of women in Cromwell to stand tall, back before it was mainstream to do so, and support the community on their own terms.

“The men would appoint their wives to make sandwiches, or whatever was needed; it was just an expectation, normal for the time. 

“As auxiliary members and then Lions in our own right, we were able to respond to community needs independently and from a woman’s point of view.”

In the 1980s, Neville also served as Cromwell’s Deputy Mayor. He was a member of the Transition Committee that successfully oversaw replacement of the Borough Council system with the current system of District Council and Community Boards. He was subsequently elected onto the new District Council and Cromwell Community Board, before retiring in 1992.

During this period, Neville worked hard to have Cromwell’s voice heard, as the Government of the day had earmarked the town for hydro development.

With other Council members, Neville undertook tough negotiations to secure an acceptable deal for the town and its residents. Neville’s wife Helen says the councillors had to fight hard for the swimming pool, the green spaces, Anderson Park, and so much more that we take for granted today.

More recently, Neville has focused efforts on establishing the Menz Shed group in Cromwell and helping to find a permanent home for the successful community initiative.

“The Menz Shed is a classic example of Neville getting things done where there’s a need”, says Russell.

“He’s completely community-oriented and wants to do as much as he can for people here.”

Neville, crouching second from left, is a strong advocate for the Cromwell Menz Shed. Image: The Central App

Russell says Neville is always someone he enjoys working with.

“It’s his drive, his tenacity, he’s a ‘get it done’ person.

In looking back at community projects he has been involved in, Neville says there are a few that he is particularly proud of.

“I think the most memorable Lions project we’ve ever had in Cromwell was the Lions ‘Big Dig’.

“We managed to secure some great sponsorship and large prizes, including a flight to Australia.

“It was held on what is now the Gair Avenue estate; people had to dig amongst the pines and find discs.

Another initiative that also raised substantial funding for a number of charities was the ‘Golden Golf’ tournament, he says.

“It was the generous support of all the businesses around town that made it so successful, most of the community were involved.”

Something Neville says he enjoys each Christmas is the annual Christmas dinner for our older locals.

“It’s a small, once a year thing, but people look forward to it.

“They enjoy getting together with that Christmas spirit of enjoyment.”

“People do things for their community for different reasons.

“For me, it’s really being involved in the community, doing things that help the community, and all the people I’ve met through all this - the friendships, the fellowship.

“That's the key thing.”

Neville says receiving the award was something quite unique. It’s less to do with recognition, he says, and more to do with sharing values, projects, and goals. 

“Helen received the same award five years ago recognising all the work she has done for the community, so we’re now both recipients of the Melvin Jones Award.

“I’m guessing there’s not too many husband and wife teams who are both Lions, both working for the community over a long period of time, and who have both received this award.”