About Us
Our mission
To fund scholarships enabling the education of young women - especially those who are enduring financial hardship either through the loss of a parent or other family crisis.
Current State of the Trust
The Kirkpatrick Trust was established nearly 100 years ago by Act of the New Zealand Parliament. The act has progressed over the years to its third iteration and during this time there have been many changes in the general welfare legislation in New Zealand. Despite these changes the basic Kirkpatrick philosophy has remained unchanged throughout – to provide secondary school scholarships to worthy young women - in particular, in support of those facing family hardship.
The structure and function of the Trust’s Board of Governors has also remained unchanged since inception, being six senior Freemasons supported by a Pastoral Caregiver. The original bequest made by Samuel Kirkpatrick has been carefully guarded, both at the Public Trust and ANZ Private Banking, to ensure this opportunity remains for the benefit of future generations.
These days the Trust is in good heart. Good financial decisions have seen the organisation weather the current stock market volatility, just as our girls and their school have successfully weathered the pandemic. We have every confidence that life here in Nelson is back on track.
Read the history behind the trustThe structure and function of the Trust’s Board of Governors has also remained unchanged since inception, being six senior Freemasons supported by a Pastoral Caregiver. The original bequest made by Samuel Kirkpatrick has been carefully guarded, both at the Public Trust and ANZ Private Banking, to ensure this opportunity remains for the benefit of future generations.
These days the Trust is in good heart. Good financial decisions have seen the organisation weather the current stock market volatility, just as our girls and their school have successfully weathered the pandemic. We have every confidence that life here in Nelson is back on track.
Our team
Jeff Grimmett
Chairman
Our chairman is an enthusiastic Freemason and a Past Master of the Southern Star Lodge, Nelson. Now retired, Jeff spent his working life as a veterinarian, specialising in equine reproduction. He brings a wealth of governance experience to the Kirkpatrick Trust based on a large veterinary business (managing director), insurance, horse racing, professional regulation and several charitable organisations. Jeff is happily married to Sally and they have three adult children and three grandchildren.
Alice Wood
Pastoral Care and Secretary
Originally from Kaitaia, Ali was a Kirkpatrick girl between 1988-1993. She was one of the last to board at the original Kirkpatrick House before moving to Clarence Johnston House in 1992. After leaving school in 1994 Ali took a gap year to travel New Zealand. She later went to university in Auckland, married husband Ian and they have two beautiful children. Eventually the family moved back to Nelson where Ali pursued a career in the retail sector. More recently she was enticed to return to the Kirkpatrick fold and take responsibility for the pastoral needs of the girls - a role Ali is both honored and pleased to do.
Elaine Hiscoke
Patroness
Elaine hails from Bluff, worked as a nurse in Invercargill and Oamaru – where she married the son one her patients – Ron Hiscoke. They went on to have three children who in turn produced three grandchildren. Ron was a good Freemason and for several years the Chairman of the KirkpatrickBoard of Governors. Since 1989 Elaine has held various responsibilities with the Kirkpatrick Trust, including Pastoral Caregiver, Secretary and Treasurer and for several years all three at the same time. These days Elaine keeps an eye on us as our much-valued Patroness
Ian Plummer
Treasurer
A long time ago Ian was born and raised in Otahuhu – the eldest of three brothers. He spent 34 years working for the MAF as a Meat Inspector all around New Zealand and finished up as an Area Manager working in Timaru. Ian then ran a motel in Kaikoura for several years before retiring to Blenheim. As a Freemason, he originally joined the Lodge St Augustine in Waimate in 1999 and later (2010) Lodge Awatere in Blenheim. Ian is married to Sue and has three daughters and two stepsons.
John Dobson
Education
John was born and raised in Nelson, went to Nelson College and later to Christchurch Teacher’s Training College. He moved back to Nelson as a primary school teacher and considers starting the first bi-lingual Whanau Class at Nelson Central School the highlight of his teaching career. A career change followed when John ran a painting and decorating business until semi-retirement a few years ago. John is married to Marilyn and they have three children and seven grandchildren. His interests include travel, playing bagpipes, freemasonry, fishing and he has been on the Kirkpatrick Board since 2010.
Dave Stenning
Communications
Born in Christchurch NZ, Dave was raised and educated in the UK. He joined the Royal Air Force, travelled the world and saw action in several conflicts. Prior to retirement, Dave lead the engineering staff of an RAF airbase in the UK. He returned to New Zealand and ran his own business here in Nelson servicing small household appliances. In 1991 Dave joined the Southern Star Lodge, worked his way up to the Master’s Chair and later served as a District Grand Lodge Officer and also as a senior Royal Arch Officer. Dave lives in Richmond, happily married to Fran and has adult children and grandchildren scattered around the world.
Tam Hazan
Social
Born in Shropshire, Tam attended boarding schools from age 7 to 17. From there it was university and a Royal Air Force career (flying and instructional duties) until retirement at age 60. A brief spell as Chairman of a Civic Society running several art galleries, before moving to New Zealand in 2012. Wife Kay was raised in the Marlborough Sounds and a boarder at Nelson College for Girls. Time now is spent with lifestyle farming, sailing, various Masonic roles and as a Trustee of the Marine Rescue Centre. He has two Kiwi step-daughters and an extended English family.
Peter McDermott
KP Historian
Born in Woking, Surrey, Peter emigrated to NZ in 1962 and spent his childhood years in Dunedin. After several long stints overseas including working in NHS and the British Library Peter returned to NZ to take up a career in the Post Office, leaving as the Manager of Queenstown Post Office in 1991. Peter worked as a self-employed store owner in Dunedin then eventually joined the Electoral Enrolment Commission from which he retired in 2016 as South Island Regional Manager.
Peter has been involved with Freemasonry since 2006, serving twice as Master of the Southern Star Lodge. Peter lives in Stoke with his wife Elaine and is a keen gardener, amateur historian and tramper.
Know someone who would benefit?
The Kirkpatrick Board of Governors is always interested to hear about potential candidates for this scholarship programme.
Apply