Grahame Hall
This week's Newsmaker is former Rotorua Mayor Grahame Hall, who has been the chairman of the Rotorua Trust for several years. Mr Hall and the trust have been involved in a number of projects recently.
Tell us about yourself
I was born and educated in Taranaki and came to Rotorua to farm in 1967. In 1976 I had a life-changing experience being awarded one of two New Zealand Nuffield Scholarships to study in the United Kingdom and Europe for six months.
I gained huge experience and a wider vision of the world which has influenced my path into leadership.
We have a wonderful blended successful family of seven adult children and 11 grandchildren and we all enjoy the outdoors and celebrating together.
My interests are wide-ranging: the arts, music, sport, cycling and I have had a life-long involvement in farming, education local government and the community.
Tell us about your role as chairman of the Rotorua Trust.
I've been with the trust since the first elections and have been elected chairman since 2005. I have always worked with positive, community minded trustees and we work together as a team.
My role as chairman has been to provide leadership and an overview to ensure that our investments are well-managed and our grant-making covers the widest possible sectors of the community.
This, as well as working in partnerships with other funders to ensure Rotorua's facilities and amenities are amongst the best in the country for a provincial city. Good examples are the Arts Village, Rotorua Museum, Energy Events Centre and Parksyde. Supporting community volunteers is an important aspect of our work.
What other projects are you involved with?
Currently, the New Zealand Waiariki Aria, the proposed Performing Arts Theatre, also assisting the Croquet Club, of which I am the patron, with a membership drive.
You are involved in promoting and bringing Dame Kiri Te Kanawa to Rotorua for another performance - what do performances like hers do for Rotorua?
They provide the people of Rotorua with an opportunity to attend a concert in their hometown of a world class performer. They enrich the cultural calendar and provide opportunities to bring visitors to town.
One of the positive aspects of putting in a voluntary effort with projects such as this, is that it draws very generous local sponsors, who embrace the concept.
The trust has donated $5000 to the Rotorua Daily Post Christmas Appeal for the Salvation Army Foodbank and has done so each year for several years - why?
I, along with my fellow trustees wish to support the Rotorua Daily Post for initiating such a wonderful Christmas Appeal.
The Salvation Army do an extraordinary job in supporting a very wide cross section of people in our community, who, largely through no fault of their own, find themselves disadvantaged.
How does the trust determine who or what will receive funding?
Each month, the trust receives applications from within the Rotorua District, where they are reviewed and researched by our staff initially. They are then presented to trustees for a decision.
To date the Trust has made grants to our community of just under $90,000,000. 2014 will see the final payment of the $4.7million commitment we made to the Rotorua Museum.
What are you thoughts on Steve Chadwick as mayor of Rotorua and what do you think of the council's 2030 vision?
I believe Steve Chadwick has the experience, the networks, the energy and the passion to skilfully undertake the role she has been elected to do. We have already seen evidence of this and the council's 2030 vision is a great leap in the right direction. Council cohesion and team work with the chief executive and staff, as well as community involvement, will ensure the district moves forward positively.
What would be your advice for her?
Reduce the debt, plan strategically and undertake projects towards that direction in "bite sized" achievable chunks. This is fortunately where she appears to be heading.
If there was one thing you could change about Rotorua what would it be?
To change our economic profile, so that all sectors and families in the community could benefit more with a greater disposable income.
Tell us three things about yourself that most people wouldn't know.
I started a cottage industry making toys to get pocket money, when I was 9.
I play the piano accordion and piano (self - taught, so not for public performances).
I spent the early years of my working life working on farms in Whangamomona (on the Forgotten Highway)