Our Trustees
Arohanui Hospice is governed by a group of skilled, community-minded people whose support and knowledge help its quality service to run smoothly. Here is a brief insight into the lives of the hospice board members.
John Freebairn, Chairman
A partner at Fitzherbert Rowe law firm, John Freebairn has been a board member since 2005 and was elected Chairman in 2011. He is involved in several community and charitable groups, and provides legal advice and committee support, and was recently President of the Rotary Club of Palmerston North. In 2009, he was honoured by the Rotary Club with the Paul Harris Fellowship. John lives on a lifestyle block on the outskirts of Palmerston North with his wife and four children. John says he is pleased to be able to combine his enjoyment of Manawatu lifestyle and people with his legal and personal skills to assist the work of Arohanui Hospice.
Roger Clausen
Roger Clausen was invited onto the board of trustees 17 years ago and held the position of Chairman for eight years. He is proud to have been part of the development of the hospice, which has become a leader in the delivery of palliative care. Roger has shared with many people the stories collected during his bike rides all over the world with fellow biker – the financier Gareth Morgan. Of all the places Roger has visited, Solovetsky Monastery in northern Russia, is the most interesting, he says. Roger has alone raised more than $135,000 for the hospice in recent years.
Mary McKenna
A founding member, Mary McKenna has been on the board of trustees for 24 years. She was the chairperson of the Christian Home Trust when the idea of creating a hospice was suggested. In 1985, the Palmerston North Hospice Service Trust was set up, and Mary became a member. She was involved with researching and visiting hospices in Lower Hutt, Wellington and Hawke’s Bay before the opening of the Heretaunga Street facility. She is proud to be involved with Arohanui Hospice, which now provides leadership in all areas of palliative care.
Paul Rieger
A committed supporter of Arohanui Hospice since its inception, Paul Rieger has been a member of the board for more than 11 years. The man who enjoys “tinkering” in his workshop says he derives great satisfaction from being on the hospice board. He is involved with a multitude of community organisations, as a Councillor, a trustee, a chairman, and a treasurer. In his spare time, he enjoys reading thrillers that involve forensic archaeology and is currently reading, A Rumour of Bones.
Tim Mordaunt
Tim Mordaunt describes Arohanui Hospice as the best palliative care facility in New Zealand, and says he is proud to be involved with a wonderful local facility. Tim has been a trustee of the hospice for more than 10 years, and brings to it a wealth of business experience and knowledge. In the coming 12 months, his goal is to continue to build the hospice infrastructure and financial support to future-proof it against economic challenges. He is involved in many community activities and organisations, and is well-known as the managing director of real estate firm, Property Brokers Ltd.
Dr Esther Willis
Local GP Dr Esther Willis brings to the board an understanding of the medical and social implications of a terminal illness. Two years ago, she decided to become involved with Arohanui Hospice because many of the patients she cared for were also being cared for by the hospice. Esther is a keen gardener and tramper, and enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She says that, after an overseas holiday, she always returns with a greater appreciation of New Zealand.
Charlie Pedersen
Charlie Pedersen is a farmer and experienced director who brings an understanding of the importance of good governance for an institution like the hospice. Charlie says he became a trustee of the hospice specifically to share his expertise. He enjoys film, music and photography, and is involved in the Foxton Rotary Club. Like many others, he has friends and family members who have been cared for and supported by the hospice. He says the most interesting place he has visited is the mining town of Kiruna – the northernmost city in Sweden.
Barbara Cameron
Barbara Cameron is a strong supporter of Arohanui Hospice’s role in the community, and has been a trustee since 2005. In her time on the board, she has learned to work alongside a diverse group of professionals whose collective expertise keeps the cogs of the hospice turning. She says she has a clear understanding of governance and operational matters, and has experience of both. A regular traveller on the Capital Connection to Wellington, she always as a good book on hand. She has just finished reading Khaled Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns.
Ross Hadwin
As a managing partner at the Chartered Accounting Firm, BDO Manawatu Limited, Ross Hadwin was invited onto the Board of Trustees by Roger Clausen and former board member Rod McKenzie. Ross brings with him, 32 years of accountancy expertise. His goal for the next 12 months is to make a meaningful contribution to Arohanui Hospice and the community by sharing his wealth of business knowledge with fellow members. Ross enjoys developing his lifestyle block, gardening, walking and spending time with loved ones. One day, he would like to live on a small farm in Tuscany growing grapes and olives.
Dr Fred Hirst
For the past 30 years Fred Hirst has been a Specialist Geriatrician at MidCentral DHB. He has an extensive background in planning, service delivery and governance of health services for older people. Fred does community work with the Horowhenua Health Centre, Abbeyfield House and works in partnership with the Primary Health Organisation in Levin, delivering health services to older people in the Horowhenua region. Fred recieved an invite to become a Trustee of Arohanui Hospice and wanted to make a contribution to the ongoing success of our local service by sharing with the Board, the specialist knowledge he has gained throughout his career. When he is not helping with community projects, he likes to get stuck into DIY renovation and gardening. He recommends travelling around Darwin and its surrounds because of the incredible accessibility to beautiful Aboriginal rock art, national parks and history.
