Honour Roll

Life Members

The highest honour the Association can bestow is to elect someone a Life Member. The Association currently has four Life Members:

Paul Garnham (1999)

Paul was the leader of the Southern Conference officials from 1993 until his return to Australia in 1997. During his time, Paul raised the standard of officiating in the South and introduced the use of mechanics into the conference. He also provided invaluable advice to the Northern Conference whilst they were moving through the same transition in 1996. He was Referee for the first Thunder Bowl between Wellington and Auckland in 1996. His last match was the first test match between New Zealand and Australia on 1 August 1997 (the date that the Association was formed), although he did make a guest appearance as Umpire for Thunder Bowl III. Paul made a significant contribution to the construction of the Constitution, and he introduced much of our philosophy.

Horst Erich Maczuga (2000)

Horst was the founding Commissioner of the AFSC from 1990 until his retirement from the position in 1999. During that time he was also an official in the Southern Conference. As Commissioner, Horst provided the support necessary to enable the officials to do their job. As an official, Horst's experience, enthusiasm and mana encouraged others to excel at their vocation and thoroughly enjoy themselves in the process.

Gordon Brennan (2005)

From its formation in 1997 until 2005, the Association only had one president, Gordon Brennan. During that time, the Association grew and developed into a mature organisation, well-managed, in good financial health, respected by the governing body, and with excellent international contacts. Gordon's stewardship had a huge part in all of this. On the field, Gordon earned the respect of his colleagues, clearly demonstrating many of the qualities expected of a fine official (including a healthy sense of humour). He officiated at two Test Matches, five Thunder Bowls (there would have been more if he had not also been Commissioner of AFSC for three years), four National Championships, and many Capital Bowls.

Stephen Bowness (2012)

Stephen was a founding member of the Association and its President from 2005 until 2010. Stephen was the Northern Conference Supervisor from 1997 until 2007 and then again in 2009. He was the Rules Editor from 2001 until 2010 and produced an annual document which examined the Rules changes each year which was distributed to Australia and Europe. Stephen has officiated an estimated 400 games over his career with 17 appearances as a Kiwi Bowl official. Stephen had an unbroken run of attendance at Thunder Bowl until the 2011 season when he was selected to the international qualifier which clashed with the date of the game. Stephen officiated in a number of appearances in international and other major games including the 1997 and 2003 New Zealand v Australia test matches, games at the Australian National Championships and two Junior World Cup qualifiers. He was Referee in the 2011 Australia v American Samoa JWC qualifier.

Honorary Members

The next highest honour the Association can bestow is to elect someone an Honorary Member. Honorary Members are people who have provided significant support to the Association without actually being an Active Member at any stage. The Association currently has one Honorary Member:

Dick Honig (2000)

For many years, Dick was a Referee on the staff of the Big Ten and is one of the most respected members of the officiating community in the United States, having officiated at 15 Bowl games, including the 2001 National Championship. Dick is also the owner of Honig's Whistle Stop, which supplies all of our equipment. Since 1996, Dick has acted as the Association's mentor, advising us and answering all of our questions. He is particularly helpful when it comes to the annual rules review, and has been of particular assistance to the Editor during that process. Dick is one of the finest examples available of how to be a good official. One of the highlights of the 2001/2 season was Dick's visit in February 2002 to present a number of seminars and clinics and to officiate at the Kiwi Bowl and National Championship. He returned in July 2003 to Referee the third Test Match between New Zealand and Australia in Auckland.