August 3 2011
New Chair for The Canterbury Community Trust
The Canterbury Community Trust has a new chair.
Alec Neill has been elected by the Trustees to replace Barry Dent, whose term as a Trustee has come to an end. Barry has
been a Trustee for the past eight years and Chair for the past three.
Alec Neill brings to the Trust a wealth of experience in governance, having been an MP for nine years, served on
Canterbury Regional Council for seven years and advised numerous charitable organisations and sporting clubs and bodies
in his 30 years practising as a solicitor.
“The Canterbury Community Trust is in very good heart both financally and from a governance perspective,” Alec Neill
says. “Over the past 21 years the Trustees have worked tirelessly for the benefit of our communities. Many many millions
of dollars have been paid to charities and sporting bodies, whilst the initial fund has grown through wise investment
“I acknowledge the good work of our staff and look forward to the challenges trustees and staff will face. I anticipate
2011/2012 being a difficult time for the Trust.”
At the Annual General meeting of the Trust in Christchurch this week, Alec Neill delivered his first Chairman’s report,
including paying tribute to Barry Dent for his substantial contribution to the Trust.
Alec Neill also recognised outgoing Trustees Sally Thompson and Rob Dalley, as well as the work of the late Dorothy
Oakley, who was appointed as a trustee in 2009 and died in January 2011. ”Dorothy made sure the rural communities of
Canterbury didn’t miss out, in keeping with our stated intention to invest wisely in communities,” he says.
He welcomed new Trustees Peter Graham, Sue McKenzie and Tracey Chambers and the election of Bill Dahlberg of Nelson as
deputy chair.
ENDS