Sandy Inwood

A little about myself – I have been married to Mike for 34 years and we have 2 children – Kerri (33) who is currently living in Queensland with her fiancée Jason, and Hamish (30), married to Stacey and living in Blenheim – they have our 2 grandchildren, a wee boy (Maz) who has just turned 2 and a beautiful baby girl, Charlotte who is 4 months old. Aside from work and AAPNZ I manage to fill my time with family, knitting, sewing, reading and travel.

My administration career started in the mid 80’s when I took a part time position as School Secretary at Rotherham School in North Canterbury, (the school that 5 generations of my family attended – including my two children!).  We moved to Marlborough in 1989 for Mike’s work (farming) and after a couple of part time jobs in retail, in 1992 I was employed full time as an administrator for MBM (Master Butchers Marlborough Ltd) where I learnt everything from Reception to HR/Payroll.  I worked for this company, with many changes to my role along the way, until 1999 when Mike and I took the plunge and went on our OE.  We applied for a job living and working on a sheep farm in New York State about 2 hours north of New York City – and were successful.  We said goodbye to our children and off we went for the next 2 years.  A wonderful experience which allowed us to meet many varied and interesting people as well as giving us the opportunity to travel extensively for 5 months before heading back home to New Zealand – to look for jobs again!  It was with surprise (and relief) that I was offered a position of PA to the General Manager back at MBM, where I stayed until the company closed in 2005.  I was then offered the position of Frontline Administrator/Accounts Payable with Aotearoa Seafoods – the position I am still in today. 

I joined AAPNZ in January 2004 and became one of the founding management team members of Marlborough Group in November of that year.  I was a member of the management team from 2004, carrying out a variety of roles, until being elected as Southern Regional Leader in 2008.  I was then elected to the 2nd Vice President position at the 2009 AGM.  I anticipated having a little more time before contemplating taking on the role of National President, but as we all know sometimes ‘things’ happen and I find myself in the role a little sooner that anticipated!  I value my AAPNZ membership for the opportunities it has given me to not only extend my professional development, but to also put me in contact with other administrators in Marlborough and from throughout New Zealand.  I am looking forward to the challenge of being national President, and will do my best to support our members and enhance the future profile of AAPNZ.

Denise McElwain (Dip Bus Admin, AAPNZ Cert)

I work as a Judge’s Associate for the Hon Justice Baragwanath at the Court of Appeal in Wellington.

My working career began at the District Court in Dunedin as a court stenographer where I worked for 13 years.  I moved from Dunedin to Hamilton with my husband in 1990 and continued working full time as a court stenographer until I had my daughter Victoria in March 1993.  I took seven months’ parental leave and then went back to my old job three days a week until March 1995 when I was appointed a Judge’s Associate with the Rt Hon Justice Thomas at the Court of Appeal in Wellington.

Since 1995 I have worked for three different Judges both at the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.  After Justice Thomas retired I worked for Justice Anderson who was President at the Court of Appeal for two years before moving to the Supreme Court.  In April 2008 Justice Anderson retired and I began work with Justice Baragwanath.

I joined AAPNZ in May 2006 when I was able to organise satisfactory child care arrangements for my daughter.  I also felt that I wanted extra stimulation, the opportunity to network with others, plus further my education.  Through AAPNZ I learned about all the wonderful opportunities there were.  There was the Diploma in Business Administration which sounded very achievable, and also certification.  I managed to achieve both of these within two years of joining.  It was through AAPNZ that I also became involved in teaching shorthand to four students. 

After being a member of AAPNZ for just over six months, I joined the Group Management Team.  I took on the role as membership co-ordinator and more recently meeting co-ordinator.  Both roles I have found very enjoyable.

In December 2009 I accepted the role of Admin Support person for NEC.  This has also been very enjoyable learning about NEC which previously was something I did not know a great deal about.  I am still learning a lot and enjoy the extra challenges it brings into my busy life.

My daughter is now 16 and I live with my partner Trevor who is a social worker.  We have two cats who are the love of my daughter’s life, in addition to her ballet.  My other interests are overseas travel, entertaining, book club, theatre and organising events.

Faye Partridge (Dip. Bus. Admin, AAPNZ Cert., Associate)

I had the honour of being the inaugural Marlborough Group President from November 2003 - May 2006, having firstly joined Nelson Group in June 2000 after reading about AAPNZ in a magazine advertisement. The distance between the two regions prohibited regular attendance at functions, and realising such a group was needed in Marlborough, I set about setting up the Marlborough group, with the support and guidance of Nelson members and leading it to a membership of over 70.

I have served in numerous roles, including:  

Marlborough:

• Joined Nelson Group in 2000
• 2002 – 2003 : Blenheim Liaison Officer (under Nelson Group), also carrying out roles of Treasurer, Secretary, Marketing Officer etc whilst in set-up mode
• 2003 – 2006 : President, Marlborough Group
• 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 : APD Team (Co-ordinator in 2003 and 2004)
• 2003, 2004, 2006 : Introductory Presentation Team  
• 2004 – 2005 : Newsletter Editor
• 2004 – 2005 : Group Meeting Co-ordinator (shared role)
• 2006 – 2007 : Management Team
• 2008 : Newsletter Editor
• 2008 - Current : Management Team
• 2010 - Current : Co-Newsletter Editor

National Executive Committee (NEC):  

• 2004 – 2005 : Minute Secretary
• 2005 – 2007 : Southern Leader  
• 2005 – Current : Website Administrator

Awards/Achievements/Qualifications:

• 2003 : Member of the Year (under Nelson group – Marlborough award)
• 2005 : Member of the Year – Marlborough  
• 2006 : Associate member
• 2006 : National Dipoma in Business Administration
• 2007 : Certificated

I commenced my own business from home in 1982 providing secretarial/office services (latterly including design and printing services) for both the public and business community. Working from home allowed me to be close by for my three sons (all now adults) and also run the business, part-time in the earlier years. In March 2008, after many years in the commercial town environment, I downsized the business and took it back home working in the evenings looking after various clients. During the day I work at a Marlborough funeral home, carrying out administration and graphics work. My formative working years were mostly bank-related, a time I cherish and one which gave me the best introduction to working life I could have hoped for.

I love fishing and the Marlborough Sounds but don't get there often enough. Gardening is another passion with the resulting colour, and the bonus of flowers for picking! Spending time with family and friends is a must, and keeping fit by regular walking and cycling. I love to "give things a go" and conquer challenges.  

Being involved with AAPNZ has opened up a plethora of opportunities never before available to me, and has also increased my network of "associates". Support is never far away, and a big bonus is making some wonderful friends. I intend to continue being an ambassador of AAPNZ, sharing the benefits of membership and the opportunities available.