Post by nzbc on Jan 31, 2017 18:01:08 GMT 12
Interviewed by Tania Campbell and Kelly Tucker of 4MC Horowhenua College.
George Sue was born in Otaki in 1940. the first generation of the family to come to New Zealand was his father, Bing Sue, who travelling alone in 1908 at the age of eighteen came through the port of Wellington. Bing Sue then travelled around the North Island and chose to settle in New Zealand.
By the time George was born in 1940 his parents were living in Otaki. Following his birth the family moved to Ohau for a year before finally settling in Levin, where Mr Bing Sue purchased a piece of land.
The young George was educated at Levin Central School and then went on to East School where he was an early pupil.
From 1953 he attended Horowhenua College, the college being the only one in the town at the time. His transport to school consisted of walking to the bus stop at 7.30 am every morning and catching the bus in order to arrive at school for a nine o’clock start to the day.
There was no pressure on him to achieve at school and George felt that he wasn’t one of those students who could achieve academically. He was very interested in animals and land and studied agriculture at college. Looking back on his college years, George felt that he received a good education, although Horowhenua College did not have all the teaching aids that it has now and did not offer the opportunitiesthat students have today.
He believes that students were not as inquisitive back then and the subjects were not so specialised. Things were very strict and fairly straight forward.
George’s fondest memories of primary school were the days when there were heavy frosts and they would be given nice, hot cocoa to warm them up. He looked forward to holidays whichhe recalls seemed few and far between. After school his time was spent helping around the home like many of his peers. There was not a lot of after school activity in Levin.
George left school at the age of seventeen and travelled to Hong Kong
with his older sister and parents. He did not find it easy adjusting to life in Hong Kong. It was overwhelming as it was as it was so much bigger and the streets were so crowded. Upon arrival his first thought was to hop on a plane and fly back to New Zealand!
While in Hong Kong he attended the Hong Kong School of Commerce as a night student and the Hong Kong University as a law student. His first job in Hong Kong was working as an inspector for the R.S.P.C.A. he was one of eighty people to apply for the position and enjoyed it very much. Although he found it heartbreaking at times as many stray animals had to be put down. He continued working as a Chief Inspector until the position was filled permanently.
George returned to New Zealand when he was 22. his first job in New Zealand was Market Gardening which had been carried on by his family for many years. Following his return, he married Shirley from Auckland and had four children all of whom have attended Fairfield School and Waiopehu College. His children are now grown up with their own careers: Liane and Vincent graduating from Victoria University, Bronwyn graduating from Otago University and Warrick graduating from Joint RAAF and RNZAF base in East Sales, Australia as a Pilot Officer.
Today George owns a market garden in Arapaepae measuring 37 acres. His products go to wholesalers spread between Wellington and Auckland. George feels that it is hard work, long hours and largely controlled by the weather, but he enjoys his work very much and his efforts pay off. ‘You always enjoy it when you put a seed in the ground and nuture it to maturity and watch it grow. You don’t really appreciate it until you have tried growing something.’
George owns a dairy/herbal shop with his wife Shirley called ‘Four Seasons’ which he has put much time and effort into. This is not the first business he has owned, but after 12 years running, it appears most successful.
George Sue is a man who has put a lot into life and in return has had much out of it. He has achieved many things and has enjoyed doing them all.
He is currently Chairperson of Kapiti/Korowhenua Business Development Board, Chairperson of Horowhenua Vegetable Growers’ Association and of the Horowhenua/Kapiti Chinese Sports and Cultural Association.
He also acts as Hon. Secretary of the Horowhenua Chinese Growers Association and Hon. Treasurer of the Horowhenua Branch of the Justice of the Peace Association.
horowhenua.kete.net.nz/en/site/topics/2427-george-sue-jp-1940