'An honour': Russell Carr pictured with his plaque, alongside Wakatipu SAR chairman Richard Kennett and local senior sergeant John Fookes

A Queenstown search and rescue stalwart has been farewelled after 35 years of voluntary service.

Russell Carr was presented a plaque in recognition of his service to the Wakatipu Land Search and Rescue group at a community function recently.

Carr worked throughout the organisation as a searcher, adviser and a chairperson for both the local group and the Southland/Otago Region Seven group.

Ten years ago he was awarded a Queen’s Service Medal for his LandSAR work.

In his professional life Carr is a mountain safety instructor, a safety auditor and a heliski guide during the winter – plus a film location scout during the summer.

In 1999 he worked alongside CIA operatives guarding then-US President Bill Clinton during a one-day visit to Queenstown.