Trust Announces New Chair and Trustees
Thursday, 1st July, 2010Trust Waikato, one of the region’s biggest philanthropic trusts, has announced a new chair and deputy to lead its governing Board of Trustees. At its June meeting the Trust elected Leaupepe Peta Karalus to the position of chair and Clint Baddeley as deputy chair.
Five new government appointed trustees were also welcomed on to the Board. Peggy Barriball, Alison Van der Heyden and John Paenga were each appointed for a 4 year term from June 1, 2010. Maxine Viggers was appointed for a 3 year term, also from June 1, 2010. The fifth trustee Raewyn Sporle will begin her 3 ½ year term from November 25, 2010. The new trustees reside in Hamilton, Thames, Tirau and Tokoroa and bring a strong regional perspective to the Trust.
Trust Waikato acknowledged the valuable contribution made by the 5 outgoing trustees. Josie Anderson, Dennis Astle, Bernadette Doube, and former chair John Kilbride ended their service on 31 May 2010. Current trustee Max Purnell’s term will end in late November 2010.
Trust Waikato’s new chair, Samoan born Mrs Karalus has been a trustee since 2001, and deputy chair from October 2009. A registered nurse with a Masters Degree in Health Policy, Mrs Karalus is chief executive of K’aute Pasifika Services, which caters to the health and social needs of Pacific peoples in the Waikato region.
Mrs Karalus has a real passion for people and has served on numerous community and health boards. The most rewarding aspect of her Trust Waikato work is helping the many organisations in our region to grow and develop. “I am proud and excited to be part of the Trust, supporting sustainable community development in the Waikato region, and taking up the challenge of growing the Trust fund for future generations”, says Mrs Karalus.
Deputy chair Clint Baddeley has been a trustee since June 2004. Mr Baddeley is heavily involved in his local community of Raglan, as the District Councillor where he lives with his wife Jackie. He is currently the Deputy Mayor of the Waikato District Council. He has a strong background in the trades and promotion of skills training and is chair of Buildings and Assets at WINTEC. Mr Baddeley says, “It is an honour to be part of Trust Waikato and support the many groups that do so much for our communities.”
The Trust’s 14 trustees are responsible for granting around $6.5million in donations this year to not-for-profit community groups in the greater Waikato area.