We have a new Chair - and more
New Chair Kevin O’Connor and Penny Salmond
New Trustee Geoff Ridley
Outgoing Chair, Carol West, and Kathy OmblerIn the latest Board of Trustees news: we have a new Chair, a new Trustee, and two new Ōtari Award recipients. This all happened at the AGM, in May.
In line with the Trust’s maximum term rule, Chair Dr Carol West has stood down.
New chair is Kevin O’Connor, a Trustee of several years standing and with a strong conservation background through his decades-long career with the Department of Conservation.
Meanwhile, Ōtari is not losing Carol and her significant botanist knowledge. She will continue to guide tour groups, help with the Thursday Forest Weeders team, and advise whenever needed on matters botanical.
And we welcome our new Trustee, fungi guru Geoff Ridley. Geoff has a distinguished background in forest mycology and pathology, and is well known for the incredibly popular fungi walks he’s guided around Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush for several years.
Penny Salmond, a dedicated volunteer host and tour guide for 13 years, was presented with a deserved Ōtari Award. ‘Being a volunteer here has been a huge learning curve and I’ve loved every minute of it,’ says Penny.
RAMBO trapper and Trustee, Kathy Ombler, was the second Ōtari Award recipient. She’s been writing articles about Ōtari, and trapping, for around 15 years, and became a Trustee in 2022. ‘As a local resident, it feels good to be able to help promote and safeguard such a special place,’ she says.
For more in-depth information, the Trust’s June newsletter is due out soon – available to all members
Posted: 29 May 2024