Age Concern New Zealand has new National President

29 March 2012

Age Concern New Zealand has a new National President and Vice

Evelyn Weir is the new leader of New Zealand’s leading organisation for older people. Mrs Weir was elected as Age Concern New Zealand’s National President at Age Concern New Zealand’s Annual General Meeting, held today in Wellington.

Mrs Weir is the organisation’s former Vice President and has a professional background in teaching.

She has been involved with the organisation for more than 17 years, including five years as Age Concern Hamilton’s President.

As Age Concern’s National leader, Mrs Weir intends to represent older people’s interests and concerns with a particular emphasis on health, social isolation, income and respect.

“Sir John Buchanan, an eminent New Zealander says governance is not about what is done but how it is done, with the tone from the top being very important.

“I wish to set that tone by leading Age Concern to meet the challenges we face and my working knowledge of the services and education base that Age Concern provides will help me to do this.”

Age Concern’s newly elected Vice-President is the Very Reverend Charles Tyrrell of Nelson. Mr Tyrrell is the Dean Emeritus of Nelson Cathedral and Advisor for the Care of Older People for the Diocese of Nelson.

Also announced at today’s meeting were two recipients of Age Concern New Zealand’s inaugural Outstanding Service Award.

Jock Nicolson and Dr Margaret Guthrie received this award in recognition of their exceptional service, having both given generously of their time and expertise to Age Concern New Zealand over many years.

Jock Nicolson is the organisation’s Honorary Solicitor and has, for more than 20 years provided Age Concern with pro bono legal advice. Age Concern New Zealand Chief executive Ann Martin says his advice has been invaluable, especially in times of change.

Dr Margaret Guthrie has a long association with Age Concern, serving as a governor both locally and nationally and as National President from 1998 to 2001. She is a gerontologist with an impressive knowledge of older people’s health and an enduring commitment to their wellbeing.

Ms Martin says for more than two decades Dr Guthrie has been instrumental in shaping the Age Concern New Zealand’s policies for older people and the policies of successive governments. She continues to contribute to submissions on a regular basis.

ENDS

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