Change of guard as literary festival trust founder retires

Whanganui Literary Festival Trust said farewell to their chairwoman and welcomed a new incumbent at their meeting in late May.

The new chairwoman is Gillian Tasker, who has been a member of the trust since 2013.

Ms Tasker replaces Joan Rosier-Jones, a Wanganui-based author and the mastermind behind the local literary festivals, which have been running since 2006.

Ms Rosier-Jones said it was time to move on to pursue her writing, teaching and publishing ventures.

But she will not be severing her ties with the festival.

She will become its patron, a role that will see her providing the trustees with knowledge, advice and suggestions.

"I have had a wonderful time being involved with the festival but this new role as patron means I won't be losing touch.

"I am passing the festival on to the next generation and feel it is in very capable hands," Ms Rosier-Jones said.

She paid tribute to vice-chairwoman and secretary-treasurer Val Cowan, who has also resigned. "Val has been my right-hand person almost since the beginning and I could not have done it without her," she said.

The next Whanganui Literary Festival will be held in 2015. Visit the website www.writersfest.co.nz or facebook.com/whanganuiliteraryfestival if you would like more information.