Jack Cursons is a proud Kiwi lad.

Born in Wellington to British parents in 1920, Jack was a promising and talented inside centre in his youth, playing for the Rongotai College first 15. Rugby was, and has always remained Jack’s real passion and his enthusiasm for the game is infectious. At 16, Jack joined the Royal NZ Artillery Association’s second field regiment, territorial unit, whilst simultaneously beginning his apprenticeship with New Zealand’s oldest surviving printers & publishers, Whitcombe & Tombs (known to everyone nowadays as Whitcoulls). There, he learned his trade and remained (either side of the war) until the early 1960s.

Jack’s Grandfather, who was fortunate enough to score a sizeable win lottery win through Tattersalls, also gave young Jack the opportunity to pursue an interest in learning to fly, which he successfully realised in the mid 1930s. Before Jack could pursue a career in flying, however, the army claimed him as a soldier for the war efforts from the territorial, and sent him to Trentham camp for training. Despite wanting to join the air force and do his bit for the war effort, the army wouldn’t release him, as he was still under 20 years of age at the outbreak of the conflict, and therefore too young to travel overseas.

After he turned 20, Jack went away with the artillery unit in the early 1940s to Africa, Middle East and Italy where he saw active combat.

“Very hard, very difficult but it was part of growing up, and I had some wonderful comrades during the war”.

Shortly after the war, whilst playing for the New Zealand forces rugby team, Jack broke his collar bone, ending his dream of becoming an All Black. Now in his early twenties, Jack took what could have been a devastating setback in his stride, instead turning his attention to refereeing, a field in which he was to excel and forge a long and eventful career.

Jack met his wife Joy, who worked in the Army Medical Centre in 1945, and they married shortly afterwards. Married for 65 years of marriage, prior to her passing three years ago, Jack took care of Joy for many years during her battle with dementia, prior to moving to a retirement village. Their recipe for a long and happy marriage was simple:

“Keep together; love each other”.

In 1945, Jack joined the Wellington Referees Association (where he was later to be made president) and two short years later qualified as a senior referee. Over his long rugby refereeing career, Jack officiated many high-profile domestic and international games, as well as presiding over committees, panels and disciplinary hearings. Jack’s involvement in refereeing, in one capacity or another, spans an incredible 70 years plus. On modern rugby, Jack is cynical about the introduction of new technology in refereeing.

“I was the sole judge. I made the decision: ‘try’ or ‘no try’. Nowadays, it’s all ruled from the stands.”

Having worked his way up to the position of Sales Manager for the Wellington office at Whitcombe & Tombs, Jack was ready for a new challenge, and moved on to a position with the Bank of New Zealand, who tasked Jack with setting up a comparison of changeover systems for decimal currency.In 1968, Jack was part of a committee that was despatched to London to learn the very new technology of computing. Jack returned to NZ, with the remit of facilitating the introduction of newtechnology into banking, specifically to automate decimalisation.He has fond memories of his time with BNZ, especially the friendships forged there:

“I treasure the friendship of people. I value it more than anything. Give back, believe in people and treasure life.”

It’s clear from listening to Jack, the importance he places on honesty, and he proudly recalls a moment in his early career with the bank of New Zealand, in which he stuck to his guns and maintained his stance on policy, despite knowing it would do little for his popularity. His manager of the time recognised and appreciated this in Jack, informing him “you’re definitely not a yes man”.

After his retirement from BNZ in 1980 at the age of 60, Jack decided that he needed to move on and embrace a new life after 40+ years of being a working man. He and Joy decided to move from their Stokes Valley home of 17 years, to Waikanae where he has remained ever since.Jack’s life is one rich in experience, encompassed by an impressive five different life memberships to a range of organisations including the Wellington Referees Association, NZ Rugby Union, the Masonic Order, and Bowls Kapiti Coast.

Even in retirement, Jack has embraced service and community, joining the police and Kings Empire Veterans as a volunteer.

“Whatever I’ve done, I’ve taken a grip of. I love a challenge.”

With a level of fitness belying his 93 years, Jack still goes to rugby games when he can, walks for at least half an hour every day, and still drives his car, all of which fit into what Jack refers to as his life strategy: keep fit, get involved in new things and take the right attitude to everything you do.A strong believer in discipline, it’s clear that his own self-discipline has been the cornerstone of Jack’s success in so many areas of his life. His advice to a young man these days:

“Life can be a bit of a mystery when you start out. Grab hold of something, be decisive and go for it. Don’t leave it to other people.”

A shrewd and inspirational gent, with some real wisdom to impart, it was an honour to spend some time with Jack.