THE TRUST

The Blueskin Resilient Communities Trusts aim is to create a healthy, secure and resilient future for Blueskin Bay and linked communities and promote sustainable resource use.

Assisting groups and individuals in Blueskin Bay communities address the opportunities and vulnerabilities associated with Climate Change and Peak Oil.

PATRON

JEANETTE FITZSIMONS

Jeanette was born in Dunedin and grew up in Mosgiel but exiled to the north island from early teenage years. She was co-leader of the Green party from 1995 to 2009. Her interest in energy began when she returned to NZ from 6 years in Europe in 1974 to find the country trying to decide where to put the first nuclear power station. Jeanette’s current passion and work is in addressing the challenges and opportunities of climate change and peak oil. She lives in off the grid house and has put into practice the principle that first you reduce your demand, then you use appropriate energy for end use (eg not electricity for heating or cooking) then you use renewables that complement each other - the Fitzsimons’ have PV alone in summer, PV plus microhydro in winter when there is enough water in the stream and insufficient sun. About the BRCT, Jeanette says: “For years as I’ve worked at the national level on sustainable energy I’ve admired the practical work going on at Blueskin Bay. This is an excellent example of a community building resilience into their energy use, reducing their demand to a minimum with energy efficiency, and exploring a range of renewable options for generating their power. I look forward to our work together.”

TRUSTEES

KATIE PARKER

Katie lives in Warrington with her husband and fox terrier.  She is a qualified primary school teacher and spent many years teaching in Northland before moving to Dunedin in 2002.  Since then she has mainly worked at the hospital in administration. A year ago Katie completed a BA in social anthropology. Presently she is working as a research assistant with a social services agency. Her interests include veganism, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, environmental and community issues and walking Warrington beach at low tide. She sells Fair Trade products at the Coast Road market to help fundraise for Warrington School. Katie has lived in many parts of New Zealand,  Canada, and the UK but is committed to Blueskin Bay for the future.

GERRY CARRINGTON

Gerry is also a trustee of the National Energy Research Institute. He is an Emeritus Professor of the University of Otago, where he led the introduction of energy management education and was the founding Director of the interdisciplinary Applied Science programme. Gerry is committed to bridging the gap between science and its applications and had an active role in setting up three companies for implementing energy efficiencies in large industries, industrial heatrecovery and drying systems. In recent years he worked with colleagues to establish a national energy research network to promote interinstitutional collaboration and cross-disciplinary research, as well as good relations with industry. Since the 1980s Gerry has endeavoured to provide objective analyses of the energy issues facing New Zealand for the public and government. He was a member of the Royal Society of New Zealand president’s panel on energy in 2005-06.

ROSS JOHNSTON

Ross is the Director of Film Making at the University of Otago’s Centre for Science Communication. He has been involved in the television industry as a producer and director for over thirty years and is a resident of Purakaunui. Ross has been involved in School Committees, School Boards, the School Jubilee Organising Committee, the Purakaunui Environment Group, The Mopanui Ecological and Environmental Society and ‘Get the Train’. He moved to Purakaunui in the early 70’s - initially renting a crib, before falling in love with the place, buying a section, building a house and helping to raise three children. Ross’ established links with the wider Blueskin community drives his interest in the BRCT flagship ‘Waitati Energy Project’ with its potential to sustain Blueskin Bay’s social and economic base.

CHRIS SKELLETT

Chris has lived in Warrington and worked as a Registered Clinical Psychologist for over 30 years. Trained originally in the UK, he emigrated in 1979 and spent 14 years in the NZ Public Health service, holding many professional roles (including chairperson, National Hospital Psychologists Assn, board member, NZ Psychology Society, and board member, NZ College of Clinical Psychology). In 1994 he helped to establish Psychology Associates, NZ’s largest group psychology practice, serving as a founding partner and Director. In 2011 Chris set up his own consultancy, offering supervision, coaching, counselling and group work in Dunedins CBD. Chris has chaired the Warrington School Board of Trustees and has organised many conferences and training opportunities for his professional colleagues. He is committed to encouraging a sustainable lifestyle for residents of the Blueskin Bay area, and has recently written a popular self help book on Lifestyle Balance.

TONY WILSON

Tony heads the Business Consulting Group at Polson Higgs and has particular interests in market research, public policy research and human resource management. Tony was part of the project team that was recently involved in the BRCT’s Blueskin Power Co-operative Wind Project. Prior to joining Polson Higgs in 2000, Tony worked at the University of Otago where he was the Market Research Manager for the University of Otago Consulting Group. In his spare time, Tony enjoys playing squash and social soccer. He is currently the Secretary of the Highgate AFC, having formerly been President of the Maori Hill Junior Soccer Club. Tony is also a former Chair of the Board of Trustees of Logan Park High School.

ANTONY DEAKER (OFFICER)

Antony lives in Waitati with his partner and their five children. He is on the Waitati School Board of Trustees in addition to his work with BRCT. Antony runs a small business that contracts with the Ministry of Social Development to provide coaching and mentoring for new businesses and self-employed primarily in the arts and cultural sector. He also provides management support to various Social Work, Community and Arts organisations. He has extensive experience working with government agencies, and initiating and growing new organisations. Antony is Ngai Tahu and an active participant in our local marae Kati Huirapa ki Puketeraki at Karitane. He provides hands on support to staff for planning and fundraising.

PJ CLARKE

Born in Invercargill, PJ spent much of his working life bouncing around the ocean. This included twenty years fishing at Stewart Island, where, amongst other things, he survived three terms as a local body politician and was a director of a community-owned power company. In 1995 he moved to Waitati with partner Jenny and their two daughters. He is currently employed as a forensic scientist with the Ministry of Fisheries, and thus qualifies as a poacher-turned-gamekeeper. He graduated MSc in Environmental Science from the University of Otago.