Bonnie Robinson, General Manager

Bonnie Robinson joined Alzheimers Auckland in June 2009. Bonnie brings a wealth of experience in social services and social policy, including working for Age Concern NZ, the NZ Council of Christian Social Services, Presbyterian Support Northern, and the Ministry of Social Development. Bonnie grew up in a three-generation household and her grandmother developed dementia, so she has personal experience of the stress of family care-giving and the need for community based support services and public understanding of the disease.

Rosemary Ledingham, Fundraising Co-ordinator

Rosemary Ledingham  was appointed to the new position of Fundraising Co-ordinator for Alzheimers Auckland Inc in March 2006.  Rosemary has several years' experience in similar roles including with IHC in Northland and with North Haven Hospice. She is enjoying working with the team to ensure a well-planned, comprehensive fundraising programme to provide the funding required to meet the growing demands. "Better communication, relationship-building and raising the profile will all contribute to more predictable funding," Rosemary says. She adds that fundraising involving the whole team is an advantage. Rosemary has served as Treasurer of the Northern Region Fundraising Institute of New Zealand, and other community involvement has included time on a high school board, Splash dinghy committee, RDA, SPCA and Kidney Kids.

 

Mary Lythe, Clinical Services Manager

Mary Lythe has been an Advisor with Alzheimers Auckland Inc since 2004. She has a background in nursing, training, management and dementia care. Since 2006, Mary has been our Clinical Services Manager responsible for the Advisory and Domiciliary Services. She is dedicated to the education and support of the carers of people with dementia. Mary has a special interest in pursuing partnerships with DHBs and key providers of dementia care to improve home-based care, training of support workers and the establishment of more dedicated dementia daystay and respite care facilities.

Carol Andrews, Dementia Key Worker/Services Co-ordinator

Carol Andrews works as part time Dementia Key Worker in Glen Innes, Panmure, Mt Wellington area, and part time Services Co-ordinator, managing the Home Based Dementia Support team over our whole area. Carol is an enrolled nurse with years of experience managing home care teams and in needs assessment.

Kaye Hastings, Receptionist

Kaye Hastings started as Receptionist for Alzheimers Auckland in April 2006.  Kaye is a local resident who has had wide-ranging work experience in business and educational organisations. She is enjoying the variety that being the first port of call for Alzheimers Auckland presents and the opportunity to work directly with the community.

Mike Capper, Advisor North Shore

Mike Capper came to New Zealand in 1970, after training and working as a social worker in the UK. Since then, he has gained experience as a counselor, psychotherapist, educator, manager of public and private enterprises, parent, husband, son of aging parents, consumer of health-care services and, in 2005, as a personal care assistant to frail elderly people.   All these adventures have contributed to his educational and support work with Alzheimers Auckland.  "I'm very pleased to be working alongside families and professional colleagues so committed to the care of people challenged by dementia."  Mike also represents Alzheimers Auckland on the Executive Committee for Age Concern, Northshore.

 

Marilyn Flewitt, Advisor Central Auckland

Marilyn Flewitt joined Alzheimers Auckland in March 2004. Marilyn is a registered general and obstetric nurse with many years' experience, and holds a BA (sociology).  As an advisor, Marilyn runs support groups, carers' education sessions, does talks in the community, runs clinics in people’s homes or at the office. She has had many jobs working with older people - including being a manager of a day care house in Wellington for two plus years - something she really enjoys, especially being based in the community. “I feel my knowledge base is continuing to grow and I wish to continue to support our carers, with the demanding role they have," Marilyn says.

Paddy Sullivan, Advisor Rodney District

Paddy Sullivan joined Alzheimers Auckland in December 2005.  With over 30 years' nursing experience, she has worked as a practice nurse, post-natal nurse and vaccinator.  Paddy is on the Board of Harbour Primary Health Organisation, and Executive of Rodney Health Link. She believes with adequate resources, support and good communication, people can be empowered to manage their own, and their family's health.

 

Denise Yates, Advisor Waitakere

Denise Yates joined Alzheimers Auckland in December 2006 and is responsible for the Advisory Service in West Auckland. Denise has been involved with a wide-ranging  number of community health and welfare organisations and these experiences give her excellent capability for her present role.  Among her many skills, Denise has been a former dental nurse and city councillor and currently sits on a number of community boards.

 

Lynn Hubbert, Dementia Support Worker

Lynn Hubbert began her role in January 2005 as the first Dementia Support Worker for Alzheimers Auckland.  Lynn has over 20 years' rest home and hospital experience, including being in charge of an Alzheimer's rest home for four years.  She is really enjoying her work with Alzheimers Auckland and watching it grow into a very much needed organisation.

 

Eleanor Mansell, Dementia Key Worker Central Auckland

Eleanor Mansell joined Alzheimers Auckland in August 2010. Eleanor is a very experienced registered nurse, with a background in dementia care and community nursing.

Tricia Jackson, Advisor North Shore

Tricia Jackson joined the Alzheimers Auckland team on 2 July 2007. Tricia has a nursing background and spent many years working with the Red Cross. One of her more recent roles was as a cardiac rehabilitation nurse at the YMCA where she was instrumental in helping rehabilitate people after suffering heart attacks or other cardiac conditions. 

 

Elaine Venville, Advisor Central Auckland

Elaine Venville joined Alzheimers Auckland in August 2007. Elaine is a registered nurse and has spent many years as a homecare nurse, assisting and supporting older adults with their daily care requirements. She has personal experience with dementia and this provides her an excellent understanding of the needs of people with dementia and the needs of their carers and families.

Megan Pronk, Dementia Key Worker/Home-based Dementia Support Worker, Rodney District

Megan Pronk began in this position in May 2008.  Megan is an enrolled nurse who trained in geriatrics and was employed by Diagnostic Medlab for 18 years. Her most recent position as Activities Coordinator for North Haven Hospital gave her an excellent background in stimulating and motivating people with dementia.

Gertrude Winter, Advisor

Gertrude Winter rejoined Alzheimers Auckland in 2009 in her former role after having left New Zealand in 2003 to work in England. Gertrude's previous experience as an advisor means she comes very well qualified and, in addition, her work with Alzheimers Society Carlisle in England provides an extra dimension into dementia support. 

Heather Margison, Home Based Dementia Support Worker Central Auckland

Philippa Rodgers, Home-based Dementia Support Worker

Philippa  Rodgers joined us in March 2009, bringing with her experience working with older adults.