Our Board of Directors

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2. about sde
   1. mission statement
   2. history and timeline
   3. governance and regulatory compliance documents
   4. health and safety protocols
3. sde and the community
   1. giving back to schools
   2. implementing our supermarkets scheme
   3. working with councils
   4. awards earned by SDE and our staff
4. a sustainable existence
   1. recycling as a business Model
   2. putting people first
   3. our eco-friendly partnerships and initiatives
5. our products
   1. made-to-order wooden products
   2. cane ware
   3. packaging options
6. departments
   1. production - firewood
   2. production - recycling
   3. production - woodwork
   4. services - employment connections
   5. services - packaging
   6. services - tiwai enclave
7. key personnel
   1. general manager
   2. accounts team
   3. area supervisors
   4. board of directors
   5. customer services team
   6. employment connections team
   7. recycling centre and business collections team
   8. tiwai team
8. upcoming events
   1. make a note of...
   2. our newsletter
   3. calendar
   4. future plans
9. donations
   1. help us if you can
   2. become a friend of SDE
   3. our Foundation Wall
10. contact us
    1. contact us



 

11. site map

THURSA KENNEDY - Chairman

Thursa is a Registered Nurse with thirty five years of clinical experience - twenty of which were spent in the Royal New Zealand  Nursing Corps. 

She was awarded the Royal Red Cross First Class for her work in the RNCNZ, in 1989, and retired from her position of Director of  Nursing Services for the NZ Defence Forces in July 1991, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.  Six months  later, she commenced work as the Training Officer for Southland disABILITY Enterprises (a position she held until December 2004). 

Thursa joined the Board of Governance for SDE in the middle of 2005, and has been Chairman of the Board since September 2006. 

Apart from her involvement with SDE, Thursa is  also the Chairperson of Hospice Southland and the President of The Southland Medical Foundation, as well as being involved with other community projects.  Thursa has been a Rotarian since 1993 and was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship in December 2008.        

STUART COLLIE - Deputy Chairman

As well as being the Deputy Chair of Southland disABILITY Enterprises Ltd's board, Stuart is also the Chairman of Environment Southland and Deputy Chair of the Southern Institute of Technology.  

His previous experience has included being the founding director and Chairman of South Flour from 1987 – 2005, a member of the National Council of Federated Farmers 1987 – 1996, and from 1993 – 1996  the Vice President of Federated Farmers.    

IAN BEKER - Secretary

Ian has been the General Manager at Southland disABILITY Enterprises since 1991.

Ian has served on a number of Ministerial appointments within the Disability Sector and is a Board Member of Workability International Oceania Group.   He was a co-author of the book “Aiming for Excellence through Best Practice Guidelines for Vocational and Support Services”  and has contributed regularly to various Disability practices Journals.

He is a Past President of the Rotary Club of Invercargill Sunrise, was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow in 2006 for his work in the Disability Sector, and was awarded a Lloyd Morgan Lions Club Membership in 2005 for the same. His other community work is as the President of the Awarua Returned Servicemen’s Club, and as the Pensions and Welfare Representative for the Southland Vietnam Veterans.

For more information about Ian, please refer to the General Manager's page here. 

KEN CROSBIE

Ken started at SDE in 1991, working in the Wood Work Department. where he grew to a level where he was qualified to teach and assess individuals abilities to use the machinery there.

He became a Board Member in 2001 to ensure consumer representation was present.

He has since been re-elected in his own right and whilst retired from working at SDE, still makes a valuable contribution to our robust discussions in the Board Room. He is also a very keen duck shooter and while not as accurate as Ian tries his best.

A keen outdoors man, you will often find Ken with a fishing rod and a net or two, or out duck shooting - Ken and Ian always argue about who is the better hunter.

VALERIE DAVIDSON

Valerie has been a member of SDE's board since 1992, and is a mother of an SDE trainee - so she probably knows more about SDE than anyone! 

In her capacity as a board member, Valerie has been the Chairman for six years, the V.C. for another four, and has been the Chairman of the trust arm of SDE, the Southland Vocational Services Trust, for ten years.

Alongside her responsibilities at SDE, Valerie is also a life member of the NZ Contractors' Federation and Southland Branch (of which she was the secretary for fourteen years and wrote a book about in 2003), and holds various secretary/treasurer positions in other local groups.  She is also the conductor of the local Men's Choir, plays the organ for church and enjoys flying, gardening and reading.

LYNDSAY McDONALD

Lyndsay is a very proud member of the SDE board, who believes strongly in supporting people in Employment.  She is a retired Chartered Accountant and a life member of the RNZ Plunket.   For thirty-two years, Lyndsay and her husband Alister farmed at Caroline Valley in Dipton, but she has now retired to Winton. 

Lyndsay's other interests include Church, Probus and Bridge.  

LYNETTE NIELSON

As well as supporting Southland disABILITY Enterprises Lltd, Lynette is also a member of Altrusa, on the Board of Trustees for the Head Injury Society of Southland, a committee member for the Southland Adult Learning Program and a volunteer for Invercargill Public Library's home bound service.

 She has been married to John for forty-five wonderful years, and has a family that (so far) includes five children, nineteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

When she is not keeping busy with her family and other responsibilities, Lynette enjoys reading, knitting and taking care of her garden.