"I had a huge amount of support and in those days we did things in a comprehensive way - it was a good time.
"I felt it was an absolute privilege to be mayor of Rotorua. Just before that time we had about 22 per cent unemployment, there were a lot of challenges.
"But, we had the ability to do the important things, like maintaining infrastructure, not very sexy, but then we were able to add the sweeteners on top."
Born and raised in Taranaki, Mr Hall moved to Rotorua in 1967 owning and operating two dairy farms.
He was awarded a Queen's Service Order in 2004 and has received a number of different scholarships and awards in his community service career.
Despite an ongoing passion and commitment to making a contribution to the Rotorua community, Mr Hall said the time had come to put away his agenda papers to spend some quality time with his wife Sandy, their seven children, 12 grandchildren and soon-to-be two great-grandchildren.
He said he made the decision to retire three years ago, following the last trust elections.
"There were a number of key developments that I wanted to see through following the last election, and in particular, our recovery from the Global Financial Crisis.
"We undertook a comprehensive two year review of the trust's structure and operations and made some significant changes as a result. These include streamlining the trust's operation and outsourcing the trust's investment management and financial services in order to ensure the trust is able to serve the community for many years to come.
"We now have the right structure, people and operations in place in order to weather any future international economic impacts and ensure that we continue to provide financial support to the Rotorua community for many generations to come."
Mr Hall was first elected to the trust in 1994 and has been its chairman for the past 12 years.
"It has been a fantastic journey. We started with a $32 million fund and have built that to $140 million over 22 years. In that time we have provided community contributions worth $100 million and, through those contributions, we will have reached virtually every member of the Rotorua community."
Mr Hall said there were too many trust highlights to name them all, but some of the stand-outs include the Millennial Gift of $5 million in 2000, $13.5 million for the development of the Energy Events Centre, support for events - the World Mountain Bike Champs, Lakeside concerts, Crankworx - the under-grounding of power lines and establishing operating costs grants to support community organisations for their day-to-day operations, which was a New Zealand first.
"I will always cherish working with a great group of people, including trustees and staff, community groups and volunteers who are simply the glue that holds this community together. If it wasn't for them, Rotorua wouldn't be the wonderful place it is today."
Mr Hall will preside over his last trust AGM next Thursday and hand over the reins following the trust's elections on November 19.
"It is an end of an era, but it's time for me to step back. I feel we have achieved a great deal over the past years and I know the trust is in a fantastic shape for the next person. It's been a honour and a privilege to serve the community."
