Retiring PSNZ Councillors

We bid farewell to…

By Moira Blincoe LPSNZ

TWO VALUED COUNCILLORS chose not to stand for reelection again this year. So, it is with great sadness that we say farewell to Councillor for Membership James Gibson APSNZ EFIAP and Colin Kropach, Councillor for Events.

Having served on Council for two years James (right) has made an enormous contribution to Council and the Society overall. In particular he really increased the level of communication with members, liaising with anyone who made an inquiry and responding with thorough information, usually within a 24-hour period. James went out of his way to liaise and visit as many clubs as he could, often to make a presentation on landscape photography but also to share the benefits of club affiliation to the Society.

With the PSNZ Workshop Series being so successful members can thank James for developing the programme and launching it in 2019. To say he has put his heart and soul into running the programme would be an understatement. I can’t thank James enough for accepting my invitation to join Council and for the contributions he has made.

Hopefully, with more time on his hand James will continue to make stunning landscape and nature photographs as he and Helen explore and travel around New Zealand in their ‘Vanbulance’ campervan, and soar to greater heights in his latest passion of paragliding.

James continues to be an active and valued member of the Christchurch Photographic Society and like PSNZ they too appreciate his enthusiasm and commitment to furthering the Society’s work.

Colin Kropach from Auckland joined Council in 2019 and immediately began working with the Christchurch Photographic Society to continue steering them towards hosting the 2020 National Convention. Only COVID-19 got in the way and derailed it and everyone else.

Regretfully Colin has been suffering ill health and although I’m really sorry to lose him, I am pleased he came to this decision because as we all know family and our health come first.

Having chaired the successful 2017 National Convention in Auckland, when the Events portfolio became vacant we knew Colin would be the perfect man for the role. Especially with the move towards having sub-committees organise and implement the regional and national conventions.

Last but certainly not least we farewell our Secretary, Patrice Nilsen, who after seven years on Council has decided to retire. In a role which is appointed by Council, Patrice joined Council in 2014 and has been the ‘right hand’ woman to three Presidents and many Councillors during her tenure.

Having Patrice by my side certainly has made the role of President much easier, as she has been my ‘go to’ person for much advice and has been invaluable with the organisation of all Council meetings, protocols and annual general meeting legalities. She is often the eyes and ears for Society activities and ensures nothing falls through the cracks when Council activities are running hot.

With many recent changes, having moved house to the Kapiti Coast, resigned from her role at the National Emergency Management Agency and re-establishing herself as sole contractor, Patrice hopes she will have a more balanced lifestyle and time to return to her love of golf and photography.

Thank you James, Colin and Patrice — your contributions to Council and the Society have been appreciated and valued by us all.