Community Champion

Community Volunteering (summary)

Tasman Regional Sports Events Trust 2010 – current
Habitat for Humanity Nelson 2017 – 2019

Nelson Fringe Arts Charitable Trust 2016 – 2018

Mayoral Relief Fund Tasman/Nelson 2006 – 2016

Saxton Velodrome Trust 2012 – 2013

Kahurangi Employment Trust 2012 – 2013

Nelson Bays Primary Health Trust 2010 – 2014

Nelson Arts Council 2009 – 2012

Tasman Broadcasting Trust (Fresh FM) 2009 – 2011

Nelson Bays Community Foundation 2008 – 2010

The Male Room 2006 – 2007

COGS Local Distribution Committee 2002 – 2004

Abbeyfield New Zealand 2000 – 2004

Nelson District Parents Centre 2000 – 2004

Overseas Volunteering

Habitat for Humanity (USA), 2016

Building project in Panchkhal Valley, Nepal

African Impact (UK), 2013

HIV education and health services project in Kwazulu Natal Province, South Africa

I walk the talk, committing my time, talents and treasure towards supporting the community and enabling community organisations to be stronger and healthier. I have 25 years’ experience in the not-for-profit sector at a volunteer, management and governance level across a range of organisations including housing, sport, arts, environment, older persons, health and social services.

As well as being on a number of boards and committees, I am a tireless volunteer for groups and organisations across the region, providing advice and guidance. For six years I organised an annual (free) Funding Expo with stalls, speakers and workshops attended by over 200 people each year.

I have helped organise a number of community events from establishing Top Team competitions in conjunction with Sport Tasman, to fundraising art auctions for Nelson College for Girls, to the Fundraising Institute of New Zealand national conference at the Rutherford Hotel, to organising the annual Thomas Cawthron Memorial Lecture for 12 years.

I’m also involved in and volunteer at a range of arts events and venues including Nelson Heritage Festival, Nelson Fringe Festival, Ghost Light Theatre and Nelson Summer Shakespeare.

I run a fortnightly 30-minute radio show on Fresh FM, Community Conversations, that aims to highlight key topics of interest to the community from climate change to mental health, euthanasia, social media, arts and domestic violence. Previously I worked as a reporter for a community newspaper reporting on stories across the region and raising awareness of matters of local, regional and national importance.

I’ve run a community development consultancy for 15 years involving developing and delivering operational, governance, fundraising and communication strategies and reviews, feasibility studies and philanthropic market analyses, and event management.

I have Chaired and been a member of several funding bodies including COGS, Creative Communities, the Nelson Tasman Regional Funding Forum and Tasman District Council’s Grants and Facilities subcommittee.

Fresh FM

Volunteer Nelson

Delighted to volunteer with the award-winning team at Volunteer Nelson to support and celebrate community groups across the region. Volunteer Nelson won the inaugural Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce Community Impact Award in 2018.

Nelson Airport Ltd

A Director on the Nelson Airport Ltd Board that are providing the region with a terminal that serves as the ultimate entry-point for the region. The Board undertook the planning, design, and tender selection for construction of the new $32 million Nelson Airport terminal.

Saxton Field

Independent Chair of the combined Councils’ Saxton Field Committee, Council representative on the Saxton Velodrome working group and trustee of the Tssman Regional Sport Events Trust (South Island Masters Games).

Nelson Provincial Museum

A member of the award-winning Nelson Provincial Museum team that won top prize at the 2019 @ServiceIQ NZ Museum Awards for ‘Exhibition Excellence: Social History’ for the exhibition ‘A Century of Saying Cheese : Heritage Photography Rediscovered’.

Habitat for Humanity Nelson

Director of Habitat for Humanity Nelson building houses for ownership, social rentals and emergency housing for people in housing poverty. Habitat also runs two ReStores providing quality, low cost household goods, furniture and outdoor equipment that support the building and purchase of houses. Habitat believes that everyone deserves a decent place to live.

Nelson Arts

Performer, MC, volunteer, committee member and patron of the arts. Historical improviser for Nelson Heritage Festivals, volunteer for the Nelson Summer Shakespeare, Ghost Light Theatre and Nelson Fringe Festival. and member of Body in Space improv troupe. Former Trustee on the Nelson Arts Council and Nelson Fringe Arts Charitable Trust.

Recognising Community Heroes

Tasman Fires, Margaret Goff:
Honoured to present local hero Margaret Goff, a Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of Nelson City Council for her work supporting firefighters, frontline workers and displaced residents during the Tasman fire.

Car Company Community Champions:
Honoured to be able to tell the stories of local community volunteers and heroes, selflessly supporting the community and making Nelson a great place to live.

Mamma's Laef Vanuatu

Working in Vanuatu to help establish Mamma’s Laef, a financially and environmentally-sustainable local organisation working to reduce period poverty and supporting local women to gain independence through upskilling and employment opportunities.

Fresh FM

Host of Community Conversations fortnightly radio show on Fresh FM. Community Conversations provides one-off interviews about a range of interesting and topical community conversations, from climate change to conservation, community activism to council planning.