Editorial: We need to honour greatness among us

First we lost Lloyd Morrison, a visionary entrepreneur and investment banker who used his money to enrich others' lives.

He cared about his community, his city, his country. In 1994, he founded Infratil, a successful company active in the energy, airport and public transport sectors.

He helped rescue the Wellington Phoenix team and supported many charitable organisations.

Hugh Richmond Lloyd Morrison, CNZM, 54, died from leukaemia on February 10.

Less than a month later, we lost sportsman, lawyer and rugby administrator Jock Hobbs who will undoubtedly be most fondly remembered for leading the successful bid for hosting rights for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Michael James Bowie "Jock" Hobbs, CNZM, died of leukaemia on March 13, at 52.

Sir Paul Callaghan's death last weekend was another significant loss for our small country.

The physicist-turned-entrepreneur was founding director of the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology and a founding director and shareholder of Magritek, a technology company selling nuclear magnetic resonance and MRI instruments to the world.

He inspired other scientists to commercialise their work and envisioned a diverse economy built on smart thinking.

Sir Paul Terence Callaghan, GNZM, FRS, FRSNZ, died of colon cancer, aged 64.

The cumulative loss of these great New Zealanders is profound.

The deaths of other amazing, anonymous, New Zealanders are no less significant but when we lose people whose achievements were recognised nationally and whose goals included doing good by their country on an international stage, it leaves a void.

Do we do enough to recognise greatness while it's in our midst?

New Zealanders are offended by bragging but if we insist on abolishing grubby self-promotion, we must offer appropriate praise to those who are worthy.

We must appreciate those who will take up the mantle in business, sport, science or any other sector and ensure we don't honour their achievements only when we eulogise them.