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Chairman:   John Maine
NZCE (Science); COP/BA Human Sciences; Dip. Rec. & Sport
John is qualified in Science and Electronics with fifteen years experience in various electronics and science industries including Ak School of Medicine, Broadcasting and Antarctic Research (Over Wintered 1971-72). He set up his own Outdoors Adventure Business (qualifed with NZOIA & NZMSC) in 1978 and later, a Corporate Training company specialising in Group Dynamics, working in Experientail  Training with the University of Ak. Executive MBA programme for over 10 years.  He teaches and trains people in Personal Development skills and is a Risk Management OSH Compliance consultant. As Chairman of JAG he has undertaken basic SRV training in Auckland and worked as a part-time Advocate for 4 years. He works part-time for the  Barnardos Organisation. He helped & advises Rescue Teams and Anti-terrorist Groups on high-angle rapid descent systems. NASA evaluated one such system for Space Shuttle emergency egress in 1986.

Secretary:  Heather Alford
QSM; J.P. ; B. Soc.Sci
She was awarded the Queen's Service Medal for Community Service for her work with children, parents and people with disabilities. Ms Alford became a volunteer with the Bereaved Parents Support Group 20 years ago and in 1991 became a staff member of the Parent and Family Resource Centre at Green Lane Hospital. She was a member of Heart Children New Zealand Inc. from 1984-2007. She was on the committee of Kidney Kids of New Zealand Support Group; a founder member of the Children & Family Resource Centre; and on the executive committee as Secretary of the Justice Action Group, for many years. She facilitates monthly meetings with the residents of the Laura Ferguson Trust. She taught Chinese cooking for 5 years!

Treasurer:  Marta Cullen
B.Soc.Sci (Human Services); Diploma teaching Early Childhood; Certificate in Maori Theology & Spirituality

Marta is a friend and companion for members of the Mt. Tabor Trust and others; a CCS Disability Action Early Intervention teacher; a member of Council for Christians and Jews; parish member of St. Benedict' parish. She was born in the Netherlands and spent time in some European countries, particularly France and in Italy where she met the previous pope John Paul II.  Marta spent several years in Israel, and learned to speak Hebrew . Her interests are  Israeli & International folk dancing and Latin American/ballroom dancing; reading, social justice issues, spirituality of and for people with an intellectual disability.

Advocate: Colin Burgering
M. Phil. (Hons); Dip. Soc. Sci. (Human Services); SRV (Canada); Cert. PASSING*

Founder Member Justice Action Group Colin is a full-time advocate working with individuals with disabilities, their families, with lawyers, care agencies and other organisations. As a young man, Colin saw combat service in Vietnam with NZ Army. Later he joined the NZ Police based in Auckland.  Colin has an extreme sense of justice. Regularly fights against abuse in residential services, raises abuse issues with government departments, health officials and NGO's. He uses the media when all else fails to help secure awareness of  the plight of JAG's clients and families. Colin has presented research papers to International conferences on Abuse Issues.

Advocate:  Asta Osborne
Dip. Soc. Sci.  (Human Services); SRV (Canada); Cert. PASSING*

Asta is a full-time - advocate working with families, individuals, courts, NZ Police and care agencies. She has extensive experience in SRV training and qualifications gained here, and in Australia, Canada and the USA ; being vision impaired, she knows first-hand about the nature and issues of living with prejudice and a disability.  She worked for the Royal NZ Foundation for the Blind as a child and family social worker/needs assessor, before returning as a full-time advocate for JAG. At JAG she fights against abuse issues with government departments, health officials and NGO's and presents research papers to  NZ  & International conferences on the Issues faced by people with disabilities.

Committee Member:  Richard Vernal
Diploma Tchg (Disabilities); Graduate Diploma in Career Development; Certificate in Adult & Tertiary Education;

Certificate in Community Work
Richard has worked in the human service sector for the past 20 years. He joined IHC as a vocational community Worker in 1988 and in 1993; he established  the Poly-Emp Employment Service for students in transition training programmes at MIT & UNITEC. After a period of  employment with Bristol Social Services (UK 1997), Richard returned to NZ and worked for NZ Employment Service 1998 -1999 before commencing his current role with Career Services in 2001. During his time with Career Services, Richard has looked to develop partnerships with agencies in the disability sector in South Auckland. From 1993 -1996 Richard also acted as an advocate for a person with a disability .

Committee Member:  Joce Sweney
T.T.C.; Diploma Tchng

Joce has been teaching in special education since 1985 and has accumulated extensive  experience in working with young  people with special needs. She particularly enjoys working with young people with behavioural difficulties and is a Welfare Guardian for a young man with special needs. She has a twin son and daughter who live and work in London; one a journalist with the Guardian and one a director of an Event Management company.  Joce love sports, especially  cricket, my job, reading, socialising and meeting new people, Special Olympics, trying new things and challenges, and sticking up for the underdog.  Joce was born and bred in Taranaki and has lived in Auckland for 18 years. 

Committee Member:  Ann Whitwell
Diploma T.P.D.; B.Soc. Sci.;  Dip. S.Wk; Social Work Registration (full)

Ann is a registered social worker who has an extensive background in working with people with disabilities. She has been involved in supporting children, young people and their family's for 15 years- primarily  through the school  where she works, advocating  for better service / support  through a variety of Government,  Health and service agencies.

Committee Member:  Judith Ashby

BA. Eng. Lit; Diploma Tchng.

Originally from the UK with NZ husband,  Judith has lived for here 25 years. She has 4 children in their 20's, one of them with Down syndrome. For many years she taught English and Classical Studies in Auckland and does freelance editing/critical assessment. For many years Judith was a parent representative on the interview panel for entry to the Diploma in Early Intervention Programme, Faculty of Education, University of Auckland. She was a workshop presenter to the IHC conference, 2006 and has been a  speaker to medical and education students on aspects of parenting a person with Down syndrome.

Judith has a strong interest in social justice for people with an intellectual disability and fully endorses the provision of specialised and expert advocacy for those caught up in the justice system.

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E-MAIL:  justiceaction@slingshot.co.nz