Trustees

A lifelong passion for the Arts, both performing and visual, led to a career that included roles such as General Manager of the Wellington Sinfonia, CEO of Chamber Music New Zealand, and the leading promoter of New Zealand and international chamber music ensembles and musicians in a concert series throughout New Zealand. Brian is a cellist who learnt from an early age, with further study in New Zealand and London.

Since relocating to Central Otago, Brian has been involved in various chamber music ensembles in Wanaka and has performed in numerous concerts. From August 2020 to August 2021, he served as the Manager of the Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery in Alexandra. During his time there, he enjoyed curating exhibitions and engaging with local artists.

Brian is currently a Trustee of the At the World’s Edge Chamber Music Festival, which takes place annually in October in the Southern Lakes and Central Otago regions. 

Motorsport has been a lifelong passion for Brian. Before moving to Alexandra, he served as the CEO of Motorsport NZ for ten years and continues to volunteer for the organisation.

He is dedicated to fostering the arts in Central Otago, aiming to create more opportunities for young people to get involved and to enhance the recognition and appreciation of the arts within the community. 

Jan moved from Auckland to Central Otago in 2007. She has a BA majoring in Art History and English and has always harboured a love of the visual, literary, and performing arts. In 1987, she was instrumental in establishing one of New Zealand’s first art collectives, The Blythe Collection (1987-2007), whose focus was exploring the development of post-World War 2 painting in New Zealand. Since moving to Central Otago, she has focused on arts administration and is committed to helping the region become a vibrant hub for the entire arts community.

Jan, a confessed bookworm, wishes to see Central Otago recognised nationwide for its literary heritage and outstanding writers and poets.

Roger retired in 2007 to Alexandra from a position as Senior Lecturer at Massey University. He holds a BSc (Hons), a Master’s degree, and a PhD in physics and electronic engineering. He is a keen cellist, playing with the Central Otago Regional Orchestra. He has performed in productions by the Central Otago Regional Choir and the Alexandra Musical Society. Additionally, he has played with many orchestras in the North Island, including the Manawatu Sinfonia and the Whanganui Opera Orchestra. He has given numerous performances with chamber music groups, including as a member of the Manawatu Baroque Soloists.

As an enthusiastic writer, both in fiction and nonfiction, Roger is keen to promote writing within the community. He is the president of the Creative Writers Circle in Alexandra.

Alan is a retired lawyer, based in Bannockburn, with a lifelong passion for the arts. He is passionate about all forms of artistic expression, in particular the visual arts of drawing, painting, and sculpture. He is also interested in creative poetry and other forms of literature. Alan has had four joint exhibitions and one solo exhibition and therefore understands the creative process from inception to exhibition.

Alan has contributed significantly to his community, serving as Vice Chairperson of the Cromwell Heritage Precinct Board and as a director of the Cromwell Rotary Club.

Beyond his professional and creative pursuits, he is an enthusiastic sportsman, amateur landscaper and gardener, and a proud father of two adult children.

Isabel is a graphic designer with over 20 years’ experience in studios across Australia, Scotland, and New Zealand. In Scotland, she worked on major projects including Edinburgh’s Christmas and Hogmanay celebrations, the Edinburgh International Festival, the Fort William UCI Mountain Bike World Cup and World Championships, and EventScotland. After returning from the UK, she was a Senior Designer in the Marketing Department at Otago Polytechnic, then a secondary school visual arts and technology teacher at Columba College. Isabel now works from Alexandra, creating bespoke family history wall art through her business, Kin Creative. She particularly enjoys supporting and contributing to youth arts initiatives.

Jan has lived in the Central Otago area since 1994, when she became principal of Cromwell College. She and photographer husband Tim Hawkins have shown an interest in the Central Otago Arts for all of that time. When Jan owned Bannockburn Cafe and Store (now called Black Rabbit), she featured a new Central Otago artist on the walls every month. She was one of the two co-founders of the Bannockburn Arts Festival (Across the Bridge) and served on that for 13 years.  She is a past committee member of the Cromwell and District Arts Council Inc (Arts Central).  She promotes the arts through her Cromwell Bulletin articles.

Cynthia Greep is a multidisciplinary artist, educator, and business leader whose work spans creative practice, governance, and professional dispute resolution. She is the director of Work Depot, providing employment investigations and conflict resolution across Aotearoa, and she also operates a natural fibre/ textiles-focused creative business.

She holds a Diploma in Art & Creativity, a BA (Honours) in Psychology with a focus on art history, a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Business. Her background includes owning sustainable second-hand clothing boutiques and developing a recognised presence in the natural fibre sector. Her artistic practice centres on natural fibre textiles and ceramics.

Cynthia has extensive experience on boards and committees, particularly in the arts. She is passionate about ensuring artists are well-resourced, supporting them in strengthening their business foundations, accessing funding, and building confidence in marketing, sales, and operations.

She brings a blend of artistic skill, educational and business expertise, and wellbeing-focused facilitation, championing the belief that artists thrive when both their creative and business needs are supported.

Rosemary Riddell served as a District Court judge from 2006 until 2021. Her passion for theatre and film led her to direct a short film titled "Caketin," which won an award at Hollywood’s Moondance. She later directed a feature film, "The Insatiable Moon," starring Rawiri Paratene, Sarah Wiseman, and Ian Mune.

Now retired in Oturehua, she has authored "To Be Fair: Confessions of a District Court Judge." Currently, she spends her time chairing the Under Rough Ridge Trust, hosting an annual writers’ retreat and residency, gardening, playing the piano, and looking after a large garden.