Trustees
BRONWYN
Tubman
ARNOLD
van Straalen
Hi everyone,
I’m Bronwyn Tubman. During the day, I’m the other half of Ōtorohanga Automotive, where I work alongside my better half Mike. We have loved being part of this community since day one and 12 years on we love it even more.
My background is over 20 years working within the charity sector, and volunteering my time as trustee,
board member or chair with many community groups and organisations including; Salvation Army, New Zealand Red Cross, Women’s Refuge, Riding the Disabled (Cambridge), Volunteering Waikato. I’ve seen first-hand how important it is to foster and encourage strong, diverse and connected communities. But most importantly, it’s the people that make everything work, both in the background and at the forefront.
As I write this, it occurred to me that I have been a trustee for 9 years. And during this time, this has meant the opportunity to work alongside some brilliant people, both former and current Trustees. Being part of a broad thinking, like-minded community focused Trust, working alongside my fellow Trustees has been nothing short of remarkable.
I am proud of what the Trust has achieved over the years and more so the people and groups who have applied for grants and are the driving force of so many wonderful initiatives and projects.
Kia Ora
My name is Arnold van Straalen, together with my parents & 3 siblings we moved to the Ōtorohanga district in 1972 onto a Dairy Farm which supplied milk to a local Dairy Factory that supplied milk to the local district.
As the years went by our family grew to a total of 9, meanwhile my Dad planted the first of the fruit trees which developed into 27 hectares of orchards and roadside store Waitomo Orchards. In 1995 we built and opened a 500 seat cafe & restaurant The Big Apple adjacent to the orchards. Which thrived catering for thousands that travel to the nearby Waitomo attractions as well as catering for passing traffic and local clientele. I attended local schools including Hangatiki Primary School & Otorohanga College, I also attended Massey University in Palmerston North gaining a Diploma in Horticultural Management. On my return from University I returned to the family business. In 1994 I married a young local Ōtorohanga lady Kim Jones and together we now have 3 beautiful adult children. We purchased The Big Apple Restaurant from my family in 2003, which we later sold in 2012.
I have been with the Ōtorohanga Charitable Trust since 2015. The Ōtorohanga District has such a strong and unique part of New Zealand, The generous financial support that our residents have has transformed the Ōtorohanga Charitable Trust and allowed the ŌCT to recycle funds back into our community and really make a difference.
Kia Ora,
My name is Daniel Ormsby. I was born and raised in Ōtorohanga and I am the son of Joseph and Lisa Ormsby. Ngāti Maniapoto is my Iwi and Ngāti Kaputuhi is my hapu. My mother Lisa is a well known local artist. I have been a practicing artist since my teens specialising in Maori Arts. Tā Moko or Tattooing and Whakairo Rakau or Woodcarving are my main areas of expertise and I also love to paint when I can. I have taught art to adults and youth throughout my career and am proud of my achievements in this area.
Kia Ora.
My name is Barbara Jones, and I came to Ōtorohanga with my husband Tim and three small children in 1992. I was born in Whanganui and have lived – never for more than three years - in many different places; Foxton, Ohakune, Upper Hutt, Palmerston North, Christchurch, Warkworth, Israel, England and Napier. However there must be something special about Ōtorohanga, because I am still here 32 years and one child later! Tim is a director at Osbornes Chartered Accountants.
BARBARA
Jones
Our four children attended Ōtorohanga South School and Ōtorohanga College, and I have taught at South School in various capacities for about 28 years. Dan is now a geologist in Queensland, and he and Sara have given us the joy of becoming grandparents to Harper (6) and Eddie (3). Gen teaches at Mount Maunganui and Nick is an audiologist in Auckland. Sophie is still looking for her dream job, but she has found her dream man, and we’re looking forward to welcoming Christian to the family in March. Both Sophie and Nick did year long Rotary exchanges (to Belgium and Canada) and we enjoyed hosting four exchange students in our home - Joaquin and Trini from Chile, Helo from Brazil and Emil from Denmark.
We are members of the Ōtorohanga Baptist Church, and Tim is chairman of the Ōtorohanga Kiwi House Charitable Trust, and a JP. I am passionate about helping the more vulnerable members of our community, particularly children and the elderly, and I enjoyed serving our community as the minutes secretary for ŌCT. I am honoured to have been asked recently to serve as a trustee. I believe we live in a very special community, and I am excited to be a part of this Trust, which aims to help improve the lives of all who live here.
I am extremely grateful to contribute my passion and abilities to the new Medical Centre. It is hoped that my contribution assists in providing pride, comfort, a feeling of safety and an aura of positivity to our community's new and important facility.
DANIEL
Ormsby
Kia Ora,
My name is Andrea Pye, and I’ve been proud to call Ōtorohanga home since 1999, where I live with my husband, Nathan Pye. We have two adult children, Dion and Jorja. I grew up in the small town of Whitianga on the Coromandel Peninsula, spending the first 20 years of my life enjoying the close-knit community there.
Ōtorohanga’s welcoming whānau vibe has made it a wonderful place to live, and over the years I’ve had the pleasure of being involved in various local initiatives.
Kia Ora,
Kia ora, my name is Kim Ingham and I became a Trustee in December 2014, and the Chairperson in June 2016.
I have been involved with our community in a voluntary capacity for 30 years, and I currently am Chairperson of the Ōtorohanga Charitable Trust (ŌCT), the Ōtorohanga Kiwi House Charitable Trust, and am Co-Chair of the Ōtorohanga College Board.
ANDREA
Pye
KIM
Ingham
These include committees such as Plunket, Playcentre, and the Ōtorohanga Athletics Club. I’ve always made it a priority to support my children’s schools and wider community wherever possible.
Since 2005, I have worked in the early childhood education sector and completed my teaching degree in 2010. I am passionate about supporting families and am currently a ‘champion’ for Ōtorohanga’s “It’s Okay to Ask for Help” family violence campaign.
In 2016, I joined the Ōtorohanga Charitable Trust as a trustee and have truly enjoyed contributing to projects that make a positive difference in our community. More recently, I became a trustee of the Ōtorohanga Kiwi House Charitable Trust in 2022. I am excited to continue working alongside others who share my passion for community wellbeing and development.
The ŌCT has been enabled through the incredibly generous philanthropy of many, many local families to own the building that houses the medical services of our community. The rental income we receive from the building forms the basis of our ability to grant more than $100,000.00 every year, into people and projects within our district.
Strategically, we would like to grow our capital base, and invite you to consider leaving a bequest for the ŌCT, or a Gift with the Living Hand. We look forward to hearing from you, and to continuing to support the
wonderful initiatives that enhance the community we call home.
BOB
Strawbridge
Aquarius
Macpherson Heta
Bob Strawbridge has been a Trustee of Ōtorohanga Charitable Trust since 2013. Bob grew up on a dairy farm in Ōtorohanga, before moving away to study Business Management at Waikato University. He returned to Ōtorohanga in 2000, joining a local accounting practice, and becoming a Partner in McKenzie Strawbridge, Chartered Accountants. Bob brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the board. Bob is also a Trustee of the Beattie Community Trust Inc. In his spare time he enjoys playing golf and bridge with family and friends.
My name is Aquarius Macpherson Heta and I am Secretary of Ōtorohanga Charitable Trust.
After growing up in the Te Awamutu/Kawhia area, I have now settled in Waitomo. While slowly learning about my whānau roots in this beautiful area, I am proud to be a part of the awesome work ŌCT does in the Ōtorohanga community. We are very lucky for those who have made this work possible. What an amazing place to call home.