our people
Some of the Trustees in the family room of the Stina Mooyman Palliative Care Suite. Russell McGeorge, Ray Rudkin, Bev Rudkin, Neville Dippie (Margaret Hay absent)

THE FOUNDERS

  • Bev & Ray Rudkin

Former Wanaka residents, Bev & Ray Rudkin, were the founders of the Trust.

Bev, who had experienced a very serious struggle with cancer, convened a group in Wanaka to explore her idea of establishing a palliative & respite care unit in 2012. Within 6 months the Upper Clutha Hospice Trust was formed, a fundraising shop was opened and planning for the unit at the Aspiring Enliven Care Centre was started. Bev’s enthusiasm drove the Trust in its early years, and its success is the direct result of her untiring work. Bev was awarded a Paul Harris fellowship by the Rotary Club of Wanaka in recognition of her work. Bev now lives in the Christchurch area to be near family.

Ray was the tireless rock behind Bev, who supported her work and opened doors to gain support for the Trust. Ray was a foundation Trustee and with fellow foundation Trustee Neville Dippie was “hands-on” and made things happen for Bev’s initiative. Sadly Ray died of cancer only months after he and Bev moved to Christchurch.

THE TRUSTEES

The Trustees of the UCHT are:

  • Nicola McDonald (Hon Treasurer)
  • Anne McKenzie
  • Russell McGeorge (Chairman)
  • Ross Parry

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The Management Committee comprises:

  • The above Trustees, plus
  • Sue McRobie (Hon Secretary)

PERSONAL PROFILES

Russell McGeorge

Russell is a retired professional civil engineer and holds degrees from the University of Canterbury and the University of California, (Berkeley). During his working career, Russell and his family were resident in NZ, the USA and France at various times and he held a number of senior management roles.

Russell has held a number of governance positions including:

Present:

  • Trustee and Chairman of Upper Clutha Hospice Trust, 2013 to present

Previous:

  • Director of Central Otago Health Services Ltd (the operating company of Dunstan Hospital in Clyde) 2006 to 2018, and was Chairman from 2008 until 2016)
  • Trustee of Upper Clutha Lakes Trust Board (formerly known as Lake Wanaka Trust) and Chairman 2016 to 2018
  • Director of Wanaka Wastebusters 2008 to 2012
  • Guardian of Lake Wanaka, 2007 to 2010
  • Director of Lambton Harbour Management Ltd (Wellington City LATE), 1995 to 1998
  • Managing Director of DesignPower NZ Ltd (a subsidiary of ECNZ) 1992 to 1998

Russell and his wife Pamela have been Wanaka residents since 2002, and lost their daughter Rachael (42 yrs) to cancer in 2010.

russell

Ross Leslie Parry

Ross Parry was born and raised in Dunedin attending Kings High School. On leaving school he started his working life in the banking world with the Commercial Bank of Australia. From there he joined the NZ Police Force where he remained for eight years.

On leaving the Police Ross had a young family and owned motels in Dunedin and Wanaka along with other business interests.

From this point Ross then become involved in the grocery business, starting out owning a Four Square Store in Queenstown before moving back to Dunedin to Own and Operate two New World Supermarkets. During this time with the New World Group Ross served for seven years on the New World Executive.

Ross and his wife Jan have owned property in Wanaka for the past 28 years and have lived in Wanaka for the past six years permanently.

Ross has keen interests in all sport and has been personally involved in health and fitness his entire adult life, he is also a keen golf enthusiast. For the past four years Ross has served on the board of the Wanaka Golf Club and is presently the Chairman of the club.

Ross and Jan have two daughters who are also involved in the grocery industry.

Ross Parry

Elizabeth Anne McKenzie

Anne McKenzie was born and raised in Mosgiel by parents whose families had come out from Scotland, and attended Taieri High School.

Her working life started at Arthur Barnett’s where she was involved in banking. When she married she became involved in the car industry with her husband, and remained in this business for some 34 years. During this time she also had her own business selling Wood ware on the Party Plan , and had 30 women throughout the South Island selling for her for about 15 years.

Anne has been very involved with Columba College in Dunedin, both during the 11 years her daughter was a pupil, and she continues to be very involved as a grandmother.
She has served on committees, coached netball and tennis, driven the sports van taking the girls to sporting grounds etc.,

Anne has always been a very keen sportswoman. She played tennis for many years and was very involved on committee work. She was chairwomen when Union and Lawn Tennis in Dunedin was amalgamated. Later, she became a keen golfer, achieving a 6 handicap and is still very competitive, playing around an 11 handicap.

In 2005 Anne decided that she wanted to give back to the community and began volunteer work for the Otago Community Hospice, joining their fund raising committee. On moving to Wanaka permanently, Anne transferred her volunteer work to the Upper Clutha Hospice Trust and is a passionate supporter of the Trust. Her work for the Trust includes working in the Shop and Warehouse volunteer teams, looking after the Trust’s on-line trading, assisting with fund raising and serving on the Trust’s management committee, initially as a committee member and more recently as a Trustee.

Anne has one daughter and two grandchildren, and loves walking with her 2 dogs every day.

Elizabeth Anne McKenzie

Nicola McDonald

Nicola was born and bought up in Pleasant Point then moved to Timaru with her family when she was 13 and attended Mountain View High School. On leaving school she joined the then National Bank Of New Zealand and stayed there for 12 years making her way up to Personal Manager. She then had an Office Administration job at the Head Office of Ritchies Coachlines before moving to Wanaka.

Was chairperson of the Wanaka Primary School Parent Forum.
Secretary of the Wanaka Primary School Future Trust.

Re-joined the National Bank/ANZ Wanaka as a casual and remained there for 12 years.
Now currently has an office role at Four Square.

Lives with her husband Gavin who is a Builder and their son George who is a Plumber.
Her interests include bowls – where she is on the Players Committee and pottering around home.

nicola-mcdonald