New chair at RMTC

16 November 2009

It's with mixed emotions that we record a changing of the guard on the Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust board.

Our founding chair Campbell Smith has resigned as both chair and a trustee and Sean Coleman has been elected his successor by the board.

Campbell has been chair of the trust since its inception in 2004. We are however extremely fortunate to have Sean as a truly worthy replacement. 

Sean has been involved in the music industry for 40 years, first in his homeland UK and for nearly two decades in New Zealand. He is a shareholder in businesses involved with music tours and artist management.

He joined the RMTC board in 2005, introduced by a business acquaintance and friend after expressing an interest in giving back something to the industry.

In assuming the role, Sean paid tribute to Campbell's tireless work for RMTC.

"Campbell's contribution to the guardianship of the centre and the funding of the trust has been immense. We will miss his valuable insights and unselfish commitment of his own free time to the cause."

Sean says his initial goals for the Trust are modest.

"We are not about to fix anything that isn't broken. To me, the obvious ultimate goal is to significantly reduce waiting times and making the centre more financially secure is a key driver of that.

"But we have a wonderfully experienced board and a dedicated therapist team so we are in good heart and my aim is to ensure we continue on those tracks."

Campbell's final task as chair of the trust was to oversee the recent fund-raising charity auction in Auckland that saw $70,000 raised by the music industry and guests.