Meet our Volunteer Trustees

CHRISTINE MEYER-JONES

CHAIR

Christine Meyer-Jones, married to Richard Jones with two sons Victor and Ben, one daughter-in-law Chantelle and a granddaughter Evie.  Prior to retiring and taking up her role at Life Education she worked at Mainfreight as head of HR, Training and Leadership development for their group of companies.  Besides helping Life Education I spend my time travelling, looking after Evie and enjoying our holiday house in the Coromandel.

 MURRAY JUDGE

TREASURER

Murray is a Chartered Accountant and is the principal of Apollo Accounting Limited which is situated at Albany Village. He has over 25 years experience working in accounting practices and is involved in both business services and auditing with the focus being on small to medium sized businesses and providing added value. He was previously a member of the Board of Trustees at Rangitoto College and past Treasurer of Murrays Bay Sailing Club. With both his two children having benefited from the Life Education programme, he considers it is a great organisation to be part of.

ANNEMARIE HOGENBIRK

SECRETARY

As a clinical nutritionist, Annemarie is a strong advocate for the holistic approach of Life Education towards mental and physical well-being. She joined the local trust in 2010, and has been involved ever since as secretary, photographer, webmaster and event coordinator, as well as a regular volunteer to wear the Harold-costume at local schools. “Life Education Trust has shown that it really can make a difference and I’m truly excited and proud to be part of such an awesome programme.”

BARBARA DYSART

TRUSTEE

Barbara is the Principal of Summerland Primary School. She has also spent many years as an ICT facilitator encouraging teachers and children to become a little more ICT literate. She is passionate about education and believes that the more informed children are, the better they are able to make good choices regarding their health. She says that being a Life Education Trustee is important to her to ensure children are able to access accurate information. There is a saying that, “it takes a village to raise a child”. Therefore being part of something that contributes benefits to society is something that she can do to make a difference. Her hope would be for all children to be able to experience what life education can offer them.

BARRY KIRKBURNNAND

TRUSTEE

Barry completed his New Zealand Certificate of Engineering with a large corporate who he worked with for 15 years, he then ran his own business on North Shore before selling out. He is now retired and enjoys time involved in his passion of motorsport. His 2010 decision to chair the Life Education North Shore was to continue giving something back to the community, and what better way is there than with this very worthwhile cause. Since 2017, Barry stepped back from the chair position, but continued as a trustee.

LEANNE POMARE

TRUSTEE

Born and bred in Tokoroa, Leanne moved to Auckland for University many moons ago. After spending the last 4 years working in China she has returned home happy to be back on the North Shore and closer to family. Leanne puts together our newsletters and helps out wherever she can.

GEOFF SHARMAN

TRUSTEE

Geoff joined Life Education North Shore in May 2017, a little before retiring after 20 years at Mainfreight Limited. He is married with two daughters and now has 3 grandchildren.
His daughters went to Kristin School from Kindergarten to Year 13 during the eighties and nineties and during that time were among the first recipients of the value that Life Education North Shore has to offer. Geoff served on the School’s Board of Governors for 10 years. He complements the business acumen on the Trust and aims to support the needs of our Educators and the children they teach.

MICHELLE MACKRELL

TRUSTEE

Michelle joined the trust in 2017 having discovered Life Education through her children’s enthusiasm to share what they had learnt in the mobile classroom. Michelle has a background in technology management within large organizations and many years of experience in the governance and administration of not for profit organisations. She enjoys time with family and friends, being at the beach, walking and travelling.

SANDRA JACOBS

TRUSTEE

Sandra Jacobs is passionate about the teaching and learning programmes offered by Life Education. She has lived on the North Shore for 17 years with her husband Leon. She has two adult children who were both fortunate to experience the magical elements of the Life Education mobile classroom at both primary and intermediate school. As an educator on the Shore she is privileged to be part of Life Education North Shore.