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Sir Murray Halberg
Sir Murray Gordon Halberg, ONZ, MBE born July 7, 1933 is arguably Waiheke's most distinguished resident, however due to his own modesty it would be likely he would disagree.
Sir Murray's achievements in the sporting realm are impressive.
1958 New Zealand Sportsman of the Year - Due to being the first sub four-minute miler from New Zealand, 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games - Gold Medal for 3 miles, 1960 Rome Olympics - Gold Medal 5000 m , 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games - Gold Medal for 3 miles (Defended Title) and Team Flag Bearer.
He also attended the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games, 1956 Melbourne Olympics, 1964 Tokyo Olympics as a member of the New Zealand team.
Despite this success the achievement Sir Murray is most proud of is the formation of his charitable trust (the Halberg Trust he founded in 1963) The mission of the trust, is to give equal opportunities to young people with disabilities to participate in sport. It has benefited many athletes over the years and has a list of high profile partners, friends and sponsors, including Westpac Bank which hosts the annual Halberg Sports Awards.
Sir Murray was made an MBE in 1961, and knighted in 1988.
In the June 2008 Queen's Birthday Honours, Halberg was appointed to New Zealand's highest honour, The Order of New Zealand (ONZ).
The following month he became only the fourth person to be awarded the Blake Medal for his more than 50 years' service to athletics, and to children with disabilities.
Born in Ekatahuna, Sir Murray spent the early part of his life living throughout Auckland and in the Mid 70's purchased a house near Hekerua Bay which he still owns today. Sir Murray worked for a number of years in the Oneroa Hardware store Tingeys on the site of the current Oneroa Four Square.
Sir Murray shares his time between Auckland and Waiheke having said recently "We do have a place in town, but we decided a long time ago that it was smarter to make Waiheke the place we lived and Auckland a place we visited.”
Murray is quoted as saying regarding Waiheke
“I have always thought Waiheke was a wonderful place to be, I have never had a disagreement with anyone living here. I think we are all united by a common love of the island."
He remembers rocky trips to Matiatia on the ferries Baroona and the Iris Moana, and more spectacular aerial trips on the Sea Bee Air amphibians.
“On one trip, we flew out of Mechanics Bay and over to Pakatoa Island before landing in Surfdale. It was great to look down and see this beautiful island from the air and realise that was where I lived.”