Cecil Tubb

Meadowbank Charitable Fund

Born in 1951 in Geraldine, Cecil Tubbs spent his entire life on the Meadowbank farm, where he worked with dedication and pride. He attended Kurew School and later Geraldine High School, growing up in a close-knit family of three brothers and one sister.

Cecil never married and did not have children, but his life was rich with community ties and sporting achievements. Though uninterested in overseas travel, he discovered a fiercely competitive spirit in sport. His greatest pride came from rifle shooting, where he rose from humble beginnings to become captain of the New Zealand rifle shooting team. He also claimed first place in the inaugural competition for new targets, cementing his reputation as a marksman of distinction.

When his eyesight began to fail, Cecil turned to golf before returning to one of his earliest passions—bowls. He had first played indoor bowls at age 11, later transitioning to outdoor bowls, where he excelled. His success included numerous tournament victories and the title of South Canterbury Champion of Champions. His sporting excellence was further recognised when he was named Geraldine’s Sports Person of the Year.

Cecil’s life reflects a man who pursued his passions with determination and achieved at the highest level. In later years, after discussions with his lawyer, he made the decision that once his family was cared for, he would leave a gift to the community and causes he loved in Geraldine and South Canterbury.

Through this legacy, Cecil ensures that the region where he lived, worked, and played will continue to benefit from his generosity, just as it did from his sporting achievements and lifelong commitment to excellence.

Meadowbank Farm