The Geraldine Sculpture Trail is a community project, which sits under the umbrella of Geraldine.nz (an incorporated society), and is governed by representatives from key local organisations:
Governance Group Board Members
Independant Chair – Nicky Donkers
Geraldine Ward Councillor – Gavin Oliver
Aigantighe Gallery – Cara Fitzgerald
Geraldine Community Board – Janene Adams
Landscape Consultant – Steve Sullivan
TDC Representative Project Guidance – Annette Houston
Operations Group
This group sits below the Project Governance Group and makes the day-to-day decisions that keep the project moving.
This group consists of: Nicky Donkers, Gavin Oliver, Steve Sullivan, Annette Houston, Rosie Woods.
About our Governance Group Board Members
Janene Adams
Geraldine Community Board (GCB) appointed representative to the Geraldine Sculpture Trail.
Janene’s role is to maintain a close relationship between the project and the elected members for Geraldine. In addition to her position on the GCB, Janene previously held the role of project coordinator for the GST and has been delighted to continue her connection as the project has progressed and become a reality.
Janene has lived in Geraldine for around fifteen years and has enjoyed being involved in many groups and organisations along the way. She sees her contribution as a way to give back to the community that she feels she has benefited from in so many ways.
Away from volunteering and community projects, Janene is an HR and Operations Manager by day and mum to two busy teenagers round the clock. One of her favourite activities, during her limited leisure time, is walking the trails and watching the seasons change.
Nicky Donkers
Chair of the Geraldine Sculpture Trail
Nicky was born in Geraldine and grew up on a farm at Geraldine Flat, so knows the Geraldine area/community well. After a period at university (Food and Sport Science) and working away, she returned in 1995 and worked/consulted for Barker Fruit Processors (Barker’s) for 29 years.
She is a serving board member of the Bidwill Hospital Trust, Geraldine.nz (ex-Chair), Peel Forest Outdoor Pursuits Trust (Chair), Tennis South Canterbury, the Geraldine Licensing Trust (Chair), Aorangi Veterinary Services (Advisory Chair) and an independent director of the NZ Dairy Dessert Company. She is also a member of the NZ Institute of Directors.
Nicky hopes that this free and accessible open-air gallery will showcase high-quality art/sculpture set in Geraldine’s riverside woodlands, Rhododendron Dell, expansive Domain, and ancient podocarp forest will create another special destination cementing Geraldine as a great place to live and visit.
Gavin Oliver
Independent
Having lived in Geraldine for the majority of his life, Gavin’s contribution has been widely spread over many organisations including representing Geraldine as Timaru District Council Ward Councillor for 6 years from 2019 to 2025. Gavin is a member of the Governance Team and Funding sub-committee.
His love of art and sculpture has been apparent from the beginning of this project in 2018. He also loves the provocativeness of sculpture for the reason that it starts conversation and allows people to portray their own interpretation and view on it.
Gavin believes that the Geraldine Sculpture Trail is unique in New Zealand, offering a free to access sculpture trail, for the benefit of the local community and as an attraction for visitors to Geraldine.
Rosie Woods
Coordinating Project Manager
Rosie’s involvement in the Geraldine community has grown over the past 16 years and now includes a portfolio of community work which keeps her busy and challenged. She was elected to the Geraldine Community Board in 2022 and has thrived on gaining knowledge, experience and education in the local government arena.
In her GCB capacity, Rosie acts as the board liaison with the Geraldine District Development and Promotions Assoc (Geraldine.nz), giving her insight into the marketing of the town as a visitor destination.
As a second term elected member of the Geraldine Licensing Trust and, Rosie and her fellow trustees are responsible for the effective management of community assets and distribution of any surpluses.
She is also the Project Co-ordinator for the Geraldine Sculpture Trail, a project about which Rosie is passionate and dedicated. She describes the role as both complex and rewarding, in that it requires a diverse range of skills and sees her connecting and managing relationships with donors, stakeholders, funders, artists and the community.
In her spare time Rosie enjoys the ambience of the outdoors walking her two poodles and time spent with her partner Ross.
Cara Fitzgerald
Aigantighe Art Gallery
Cara Fitzgerald is the Manager of the Timaru District’s Aigantighe Art Gallery and a member of the Geraldine Sculpture Trail (GST) Governance Committee. As gallery manager, she oversees daily operations, advises on art collection management, and ensures the gallery upholds high exhibition standards and community engagement.
Bringing a wealth of experience in the art field to the project, Cara also contributes as a member of the Art Advisory Group, ensuring the sculptures selected are of the highest quality and artistic integrity.
Cara resides in Geraldine with her husband and three young children and her role on the GST team allows her to combine her passion for art with her love of Geraldine.
Lee Parkinson
Chair of the Advisory Board of NZGSE
Lee is currently Chair of the Advisory Board of NZGSE, a private, graduate teacher training school in Christchurch, and closer to home, serves as Co-Vice-Chair of Geraldine.NZ
An Internationally awarded professional with 35+ years’ experience working in the field of commercial creativity, he is a well-regarded strategist, communications specialist, and copywriter having worked with a diverse range of clients from the commercial sector as well as NZ government entities, museums and arts organisations.
A retired Professor of Practice from the University of Canterbury Business School where he taught strategic foresight and futures thinking, he is still a guest lecturer at UC.
Lee and his wife Gillian moved to Geraldine over 5 years ago, and with their three small dogs are well settled in, enjoying the choice location and positive vibe provided for visitors and residents alike.
Body and soul – Lee believes that the sculpture trail provides a red thread through the town, physically connecting different areas of Geraldine, and encouraging more of us to explore what’s in our own backyard. However, the Geraldine Sculpture Trail, as any freely accessible public arts trail should, fills a deeper purpose: the trail encourages us to keep moving, and the sculptures (permanent and temporary) will provide ongoing food for thought, reflection and even debate.
Anna Hargreaves
Aigantighe Art Gallery
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