Iona College will play host to a world-class act this month when pianist Michael Houstoun performs at the school's prestigious Blyth Performing Arts Centre in honour of the late Sir Rodney Gallen.
Sir Rodney was a much loved and respected member of the Hawke's Bay community and Iona College Council. Houstoun will perform a programme of music by JS Bach, Brahms, Poulenc and Faur.
Hawke's Bay was home to Sir Rodney, who is remembered as an extraordinary man, the son of a postmaster who attended Waipawa District High School and Napier Boys High School.
He went on to study law, was admitted to the bar in 1953, became a Queen's Counsel in 1978 and a High Court judge in 1983. He received a knighthood for his services to the High Court in 2000, after which he continued to work as a Court of Appeal judge.
Sir Rodney was known among his peers not only as a wise and humanitarian senior jurist but as a man of many parts. He had great compassion for his fellow human beings, working tirelessly for others and was deeply committed to the environment, youth and family.