MEET THE TRUSTEES

David Ritchie is the director of a number of tourism/hospitality businesses based in Clyde, Central Otago. He is the chair of the Central Otago Heritage Trust, the Historic Clyde Incorporated Charitable Society, the Friends of St Michael’s Clyde Charitable Trust and is a trustee on the Alexandra Riverside Park Trust. He is also an inaugural member of the Central Otago Tourism Advisory Board. Over the last ten years, living in Central Otago, David has been actively involved in the preservation and development of a number of heritage stone buildings in Clyde.

Marco Creemers lives at the old Earnscleugh Station homestead, known as Earnscleugh Castle.

Marco worked for the Samson Corporation, which has a large portfolio of high-quality buildings in Auckland and was responsible for the completion of many projects including Ironbark on Karangahape Road and Geyser in Parnell. His experience in both commercial and heritage developments brings a deep understanding of the importance of built heritage and the processes needed to get things done.

Russell Garbutt is a Clyde resident and has a long working background in Television NZ in Dunedin and Christchurch.  He also headed up the Media Production Unit at the University of Otago for many years.  Since shifting to Central Otago Russell became involved in local body politics and was the Deputy Chair of the Vincent Community Board.  He is a past Chair of the Alexandra District Museum and is a Clyde Museum Committee member. Russell is a life member of both the Otago Ski Club and the Otago Rowing Club, a committee member of the Dunstan Golf Club and is a very average social golfer.  He has nine grandchildren scattered from Germany to Christchurch, is the founding organiser of the Central Otago Hospice fundraising dinners and enjoys biking, walking, cooking and reading widely.

Ross Naylor is as local as it gets. The Naylor’s have been farming in Matakanui (near Omakau) for five generations.  Today Ross and his wife Honey run Spennymoor Station, which was once part of the larger Matakanui Station. A guardian of local history, Ross was a key player in finishing a comprehensive book (started by Donald Gordan) on the stories of Matakanui Station and the surrounding district. Ross has been actively involved in the heritage sector. He was board member for Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery for five years and Chair between 2019-2020. Ross is also a Trustee on the Drybread Cemetery Trust.

David Hurd and his wife Colleen live in Ophir, having moved from Auckland 14 years ago. For David, moving to Central was a case of returning home as he was born in Clyde. They purchased and restored the Category 2 listed building, Pitches Store in Ophir, which now operates as café, restaurant and boutique accommodation.

David is, by profession, a barrister in private practice with 47 years of experience specialising primarily in commercial and civil litigation.

Pene Morris currently serves as the minute secretary for the Teviot District Museum committee. She actively contributes to the Museums 100 Project and plays a hands-on role in supporting the establishment of the new Teviot Lodge Museum.

In addition to her involvement with the museum, Pene is Chair of the Central Otago Branch of the Otago Justice of the Peace Association. She balances her commitment to volunteer work around her property maintenance business.

Kia ora koutou my name is Kate Goodfellow. I joined the Central Otago Heritage Trust as a trustee because I am passionate about preserving and sharing the rich history of our region. As a teacher, I love bringing stories of the past to life for children, helping them connect with the people, places, and events that shaped Central Otago. Being part of the trust allows me to support the protection of our heritage, build partnerships between schools, community groups, and heritage organisations, and find ways to integrate history into education.

Warwick Hawker’s connection with Central Otago began 27 years ago when together with his wife Jenny he established Pisa Range Estate vineyard near Cromwell.  Involvement with the vineyard was for many years by remote as Warwick pursued first his career with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and later a stint as the Central Otago District Council’s Economic Development Manager.

Today Warwick continues his involvement in the Central Otago wine industry and, as Chair of the Pisa Irrigation Company, an interest in irrigation fostered by the challenges associated with viticulture in Central Otago’s dry climate.

Central Otago’s rich heritage has fascinated Warwick since he first came to the area.  He is a strong advocate of the need to research, preserve and promote it.  Warwick is a long-time member of the Otago Goldfields Heritage Trust and currently the Chair of  the OGHT management committee.