Staff
John Prendergast
John is Chair of Philanthropy New Zealand and a board member of the Catholic Board of Management, Verdon College and St Theresa’s School. He resides in Invercargill with his wife Donna and their three daughters. Dianne Williams
Dianne is a passionate netball fan and thoroughly enjoyed the reign of the mighty Southern Sting. She is now enjoying supporting the Southern Steel in the ANZ Championship. Robyn Koehler
Robyn resides in Invercargill with her husband Hans and their two daughters. Rachel McCormick
Originally from Blenheim, Rachel has previously worked for the Department of Internal Affairs in Wellington in various roles and now enjoys living in Bluff with her husband Stu. Ngaire Hamilton
Ngaire has spent the past 12 years working for the NZ Speech and Language Therapy Board, based at her home in Lorneville. She is married to Paul and they have three sons. |
John has been CEO of the Community Trust since 1998. A graduate of the University of Otago, John is a chartered accountant by profession and worked in public practice in New Zealand and the United Kingdom for several years. He also held senior management roles with PowerNet, TrustBank Southland and Tranz Rail prior to joining the Trust.
Dianne is a born and bred Southlander. She is the Trust’s Grants Manager, having been with the Trust since 2001. Her role is to work alongside groups and organisations to help them with grant applications and then act as their advocate when presenting applications to the Trustees.
Robyn began as the Community Trust’s Research Manager in 2007. A graduate from the University of Otago, Robyn has previously worked for the Southern Institute of Technology and Southern Team Co in Invercargill after spending six years working for the Royal NZ Foundation for the Blind in Wellington. Her role is to assist the Trust to better know the needs and aspirations of the Trust’s communities and to develop Trust policies.
A graduate of Victoria University, Rachel began with the Community Trust in May 2007 and is the Trust’s Grants Administrator. Her key tasks are administering the Community Trust’s scholarship programmes as well as assisting with grant applications.
Ngaire joined the Trust in June 2008 and is the first point of contact for many people, whether on the phone or at the reception desk. As well as reception duties, Ngaire has an administration role within the grants application process.