 |
|
|
Meet the Life Members...
|
|
John Gallagher
I became involved in the mid 1970s as a Council Member. This was a representative group to advise the Chamber. There was an Executive Group which I joined later, I found we seemed to do the same business twice.
I became President in 1980 and this gave me an opportunity to make changes and be more efficient in representing the business community on a wide range of fronts but especially Local Government. One I remember was the City Council’s plan to deliver an 18%+ Rates increase, well above inflation. Some good ground work by Members and representation from the Chamber saw the increase reduced.
My two years on the New Zealand Chamber Board was interesting but difficult as all New Zealand Chambers did not pull together. However, Young Enterprise came from there and was a very successful initiative to teach young people about business.
I had a strong belief that if a person was performing, keep him/her there. So, the two year limit for being President was removed from the Chamber’s Constitution.
The experience I gained by being involved with the Chamber gave me opportunities to take positions in many other organisations and to bring about change, if needed, for the betterment of the Community or Business in which we work and live. This work has been recognised with various Honours over the years such as Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM), Commander of The Order of St John (CSt.J), Chamber of Commerce Life Time Achievement Award, an Honorary Doctorate from The University of Waikato, Freedom of the City Award, Honorary Fellow of Wintec, Justice of the Peace (JP), Fellow of the Institute of Directors, Patron of many organisations and several Life Memberships.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
David Hoskin
Whilst I have not been involved in Chamber affairs since 1990, my history with the organisation originated in 1958, when the then secretary, Frank Frew, asked me to act as his Minute secretary.
I had just completed my Accountancy studies and with time available, I was pleased to learn from him, the intricacies of this world wide trade organisation and what the business people of
Hamilton could gain from their membership.
From 1967 when Frank Frew retired, I took over the role of secretary, organising Chamber affairs from my Accountancy office, through to 1988. I remained a member of the Chamber Board for a further two years, when new secretary, May Woodcock, moved to new premises.
During more than 32 years of involvement, the Chamber was always the first ‘port of call’ for overseas dignitaries and delegations to business in our city. In most countries of the world, the Chamber has been one organisation all business ‘must’ belong to, because the tentacles of such body stretch beyond normal boundaries and will always be a place of introduction to exporters and importers, manufacturers or any other business when needing a strong beginning to a fresh business relationship. A letter of introduction from this Chamber will open new doors in all corners of the globe.
The Chamber during my term of office, made numerous submissions to central and local government, was involved with the city fathers in many civic affairs and introduced up to date thinking on financial and business matters whenever they arose. In conjunction with the national body, we were instrumental in being the catalyst for the start up of ‘Young Enterprise’ schemes and provided mentors to the dozens of secondary schools in our region which took up the challenge of educating young
New Zealand minds in the ways of business.
I will always hold in high esteem, this world wide trade and industry organisation of which I was privileged to play a small part in.
|
|
|
|
|
Steven Saunders
The newest life member of
the Waikato Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc is Dr Steven Saunders. In his 8 years as a board member and President Steve nurtured
the chamber and saw its profile significantly raised. He said he always saw
the Chamber as being concerned about essential infrastructure such as roading access into and around
the region. In his time Steve and his Board was all for promoting a positive image and working in collaboration with o
the r organisations like
the Hamilton City Council, Katolyst,
the Business Development Centre and like-minded groups.
He felt Hamilton was far too small a city to have different organisations “all running around doing
the ir own thing” … he saw it as a waste of manpower and brainpower. He says he was fortunate to have
the support of a committed Board and major support from
the community including incredible sponsor help from many local organisations most notably the Gallagher Group whose generous support enabled the Chamber to purchase it’s premises in Collingwood St and Westpac for it ongoing commitment to the Business Excellence Awards. Steve knows Hamilton is a great place to live …
the people are down to earth and it’s an excellent, innovative City from which to access New Zealand’s top spots … hunting, fishing, diving, skiing, you name it. Looking back a bit...this son of a farmer attended
the
the n new University of Waikato where he enrolled in
the Social Sciences programme. Steve can lay claim to being
the first student to gain a Doctorate who began and completed studies at
the University of Waikato, graduating in 1973 he took his Doctorate and new wife Glenda to Perth, Western Australia. Just over four years later, on his return to Godzone, Steve worked briefly at Waikato Hospital as a consultant psychologist.
He set up in private practice and in 1980 made
the transition from clinical to business consultancy working with local, National and International companies from 1983.
This entailed many speaking engagements, training and facilitations … a part of Steve that flourished as he polished
the natural tools he possessed to make audiences sit up and take note.
Steve and Glenda still run the business consultancy providing expert advice on hiring, training, motivating and retaining high performing staff.
The company Steven Saunders & Associates are a NZ agent for Thomas International DISC Assessment tools which enable employers to make better hiring decisions.
In 2009 Steve is nominated for the Corporate Events Guides People’s Choice Awards and continues to facilitate courses to the Auckland University Short Courses programme.
|
|
|
|
|
| Gail Jones |
 |
|
|
Home |
|
|
|
|
