Let him be an inspiration to all of us. In Memory of a man who used a disability as a motivation. Better known as J. B. Munro or just JB he was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party. J B was a notable disability advocate, responsible for getting compulsory wheelchair access to all public buildings as well as many other services not always available for people with some form of disability.
Early life and career.
J B was born in Southland in 1936, having had poliomyelitis as a baby, and a state ward, was raised as a foster child. At the age of nine he was adopted by his foster parents, the Munro family in Invercargill. His adoptive father was William Munro, his adoptive brother was Burt Munro, the New Zealand motorcycle racer of The World's Fastest Indian fame. J B was educated at St George Primary (now Fernworth Primary), Tweedsmuir Junior High, and Southland Boys' High School.
On 6 October 1962, he married Valmai "Val" Sharfe, the daughter of Walter Sharfe. They had one son and one daughter.
We believe J B started as a fuel delivery driver around Southland farms, before becoming a clerk for the Vacuum Oil Company from 1954 to 1957. He was secretary for the YMCA in Invercargill, Australia, and Dunedin between 1958 and 1968. He was the Southland administrator for IHC New Zealand from 1968 to 1973. He was the chairman for the Paraplegic Trust Appeal in 1973 and set up the Fundraising Institute of New Zealand. For seven years, he chaired the New Zealand Federation of Voluntary Welfare agencies. Munro was vice-chairman of the 1981 telethon, which raised NZ$6 million and which funded the introduction of teletext in New Zealand. He was instrumental in the establishing the Abbeyfield movement in New Zealand.
He represented the Invercargill electorate in Parliament from 1972 to 1975, when he was defeated by Norman Jones, Previously he had been a member of the National Party
Later activities
In 1977, Munro was appointed National Secretary of IHC. He retired from the organisation in 1998 as chief executive officer. He was made a life member, and in 2014 was inducted into the Attitude Hall of Fame.
Munro was awarded the Queen's Service Order in the 1990 New Year Honours for public service.
A valuable Rotary Member
J B joined the Mosgiel Rotary Club on the 9th November 1998 when he moved to Mosgiel, and up until Ill health intervened was a very active member. He “retired” to Christchurch and resigned from our club on the 17th May 2016 being a member of our club for over 17 years. He was the 2004-2005 Club President. When Fraser Ellis introduced “Shelter box” to the club J B gave his total support as a member of the committee which established it first in Mosgiel club and then NZ. He used his vast network of contacts throughout NZ to advantage. He was also very valuable with the rewriting the club bylaws, and any legal items which affected the club.
It is so sad to have to record the loss of another member of our club who made such a valuable contribution over many years.
The sincerest sympathy of our club members goes out to all the Munro Family.