Treasurer - Ella Wilson
Originally from Dunedin I have enjoyed living in Queenstown for the past 28 years. I have lived in many parts of New Zealand but Queenstown is definitely the best town I have lived in!
My working life was spent mainly in the banking industry. I spent 29 years working at Westpac. I spent the last six years of my working life employed by Plunket – an organisation I have been involved in for 59 years.
I met my husband Phil in Queenstown 28 years ago. I have two children and Phil has five. Our blended family includes nine grandchildren and one great granddaughter. We love to travel overseas and look forward to travelling again soon.
Over the years I have been involved in many sports including hockey, squash, golf, badminton and running. I play golf at Kelvin Heights and I play hockey for the Otago Evergreens team in the annual Golden Oldies tournaments.
I am an active volunteer in our community including assisting at the Hospice shop, assisting with baby boxes, member of Altrusa, President of Queenstown Dinner Club, and a life member of Queenstown Showbiz. I am now happy to assist WSCA as Treasurer.
I have enjoyed meeting all members of WSCA and being part of the team that makes the association prosper.
Cleone Blomfield
My grandparents and parents owned a home in Queenstown, so I skied Coronet Peak from a young age and travelled overseas in various ski teams. My teaching career included being at the Queenstown District High School in the 1950’s. My home was built on Queenstown Hill in 1990 and I only very recently retired my skis. I am a Committee member of the WSCA and also the Queenstown CAB.
WSCA committee 2025 - 2026
President - Simon Hayes
I have been a Queenstown resident for almost forty years having moved here, with my wife Ngaire a few two young boys, in early January 1986 as manager of Skyline Restaurant and Gondola.
My early working life was in the hospitality sector, and my second career was 30 years selling and auctioning real estate.
Our family was complete when a daughter joined the team and my early community involvement revolved around schooling, church, Scouts etc.
Involved in many things including Jaycees, Lions, QLDC councillor, golf club, Abbeyfield both local and national.
Gordon McKeich bought me WSCA membership for my 60th birthday. He hasn’t continued paying the subscription. I have been a committee member for about five years.
Janette Thompson
I was born in Mataura, Southland and lived there until marriage to Greg in 1980 when I moved to Patea, Taranaki, where Greg was teaching. He got a new teaching job in 1982 at Wakatipu High School as HOD Science and once we moved to Qtown a decision was made - we had to buy a house. Could find nothing suitable so a section was purchased in Dublin Street and our new house was built. A good price then but interest rates were 20% and yes, we had a few mortgages. We had no choice but to get on with life. We had both been very much involved in the Scouting movement and again became Scout & Cub leaders for a short time then became immersed in the community. I joined Altrusa of which I was a member for 30 years. During that time I also served as Treasurer for Altrusa NZ. Greg joined and is still a member of Queenstown Lions. We are both great supporters of Showbiz Queenstown as well. Greg is an active Life Member. I have been Secretary for WSCA for 3 years. Since we retired we both enjoy pottering in the garden at our property in Quail Rise and when time permits we also like to travel.
Madeline Lawn
Madeline Lawn retired after more than 20 years as a community Karitane in Queenstown, where she supported mothers and babies from Glenorchy to Arrowtown. Her journey with Plunket began 28 years ago as a mother seeking support, later working as an administrator before training as a Karitane. She says the most rewarding part was helping mothers gain confidence, often just by listening. Among her proudest achievements was starting a support group for Japanese mothers, which still runs today. Over her time, she witnessed significant growth in Plunket’s services and staff in Queenstown.
Rex Hawthorne
Born in Oamaru in 1948, I grew up on a dairy farm in Waimaka, where school meant riding to Pine Bush on horseback. My pony, Avo, became a big part of those years—and my proudest moment was winning a maiden FEI jump after my older brother had tried for two years. After school I went on to Southland Teaching College, before beginning an electrical apprenticeship with Colin McKay in Wyndham.