Rosemary has been employed as the .5 FTE Executive Officer to The Eastern Bay Community Foundation since July 2017.

Previously working with the team at Hospice Eastern Bay of Plenty as the Community Relationship Development Manager and Co-ordinator of Volunteers, she held a key role in the senior management team with Hospice. Her roles covered the management of essential support systems to patients and families, and latterly building wider support via events and public engagement. Her background is in the management of people and property, FMCG retailing, teaching adults, public relations and event management. She is passionate about growing people through opportunity.

Rosemary has also held governance and volunteer support roles with a number of local community and educational facilities, as well as national organisations. She was awarded the Kiwibank Local Hero Award in 2016, particularly for her work supporting women and their families with breast cancer and in 2017 was extremely humbled to be awarded a prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship by the Whakatane West Rotary Club for positively contributing to the Eastern Bay community.

As an active and validated Celebrant, Rosemary also works with families in our region, to celebrate special moments in their lives , curating special ceremonies to say goodbye to loved ones, and sharing the joy and  excitement of joining couples together in marriage. Rosemary became a sworn Justice of the Peace in 2019. 

She loves working with the local community and is committed to giving back to the area which has played a key part in raising her two adult children, Kimberley & Cameron, (along with her many AFS sons and daughters) and where she has lived for over 40 years. Her interests include the culinary arts, creative arts including scrapbooking, clay work, portrait painting, researching family history, sewing Victorian costumes for her Steampunk involvement, gardening and travel to lesser known corners of the world ( when this is possible).

Her joy comes from growing and encouraging people to become strong, independent and contributing members of the community, through the sharing of skills, exploring ideas, building confidence, involvement in events and mentoring within business networks. 

Rosemary reports directly to the Board of Trustees.

Rosemary is always happy to answer any questions regarding the Eastern Bay Community Foundation.