Greetings everyone.
It is a real pleasure to be writing my first introductory piece for our newsletter as the new manager with MS-PD Society. Firstly, I want to honour Jenny Boyer’s contribution to our communities; Jenny’s legacy is significant and will long be remembered as having shaped the Society during years of growth, change and development. We send Jenny our warmest wishes for a fulfilling retirement.
Secondly, to introduce myself here are snippets of my varied and diverse background.
Although I was a city girl, being born and brought up in Auckland, I later lived on farms all over Northland during my active years of mothering five children (now all grown and some with their own families).
During the rural phase of my life I grew veges, milked house cows and raised pigs, calves, pet lambs and goats. I enjoyed aspects of the self-sufficient lifestyle which have stayed with me all these years later. As well as my busy family and farm life, I was involved in several different volunteer groups such as Playcentre and La Leche League.
After Northland, Hamilton became home for some years during my time at university as a mature student in the early ’90s. After graduation I began my career in not-for-profit social services and joined the Aotearoa NZ Association of Social Workers.
I was a regional co-ordinator and manager for the NZ AIDS Foundation for 10 years in Hamilton and Christchurch. I fell in love with Christchurch and the South Island but needed to return to Hamilton for a while to care for frail elderly parents; my mother had developed Parkinson’s and my father had undergone a triple heart bypass. At this time I worked as Area Manager for Relationships Aotearoa.
Another move brought me back to Christchurch and a new role as manager with Home and Family. After a couple of years there I was appointed regional family support manager with the Child Cancer Foundation, which was my focus for the last five years.
During all my moves and changes I have always enjoyed family connections, exploring the outdoors, walking and cycling, gardening and growing veges, reading, music and movies.
I am delighted to be in my new role and I look forward to meeting you in due course.
Please do feel free to make contact with me by phone, email or in person. I am always interested in receiving feedback or suggestions about our services and how we may better meet your needs.
Best Regards
Robin
JennyBoyer: Reflections on my 27 years with the Society.
The whole February 2015 issue of our newsletter is available for download as a pdf document here.