National Council

 

Geoff Bridgman
President
Geoff is in his 6th year on National Council, and has been President for over three years. Geoff also works closely with SF Auckland and is past chair of the SF Auckland Committee. Geoff is an academic and he coordinates the Masters programme in Not-for-Profit Management at Unitec Auckland.

 

Dr. John Grigor
Vice-President
Dr John Grigor is a consultant psychiatrist from Wellington.  He has been a hospital superintendent, a forensic psychiatrist, State Director of Mental Health, Director of Research and Post-Graduate Training and was on the Committee and Executive Committee of the World Psychiatric Association for 15 years.

John has been involved with voluntary community mental health organisations for more than 35 years.  In recent years he has been working with Pacific and Maori service users and developing more broadly based models of treatment incorporating family spiritual and physical approaches.

Dr. Grigor is very committed to family involvement in treatment and knows that this leads to better outcomes

 

Lorraine Kelf
Treasurer
Lorraine has been Treasurer of SF New Zealand for over three years and came to National Council from SF Wairarapa, where she has been on the Committee since 2001. Lorraine has extensive not-for-profit experience and a calm, practical, down-to-earth governance style. 

 

Mike Moroney
Council Member
Mike is a professional musician from Dunedin. He has been on the management committee of SF Otago for over eight years, including 6 years as chairperson.

Mike has been on National Council for 4 years. He is happy to see National Office now based in Wellington, as he strongly supported the move from Christchurch, enabling SFNZ to be closer to Parliament and strengthen our advocacy voice.
Mike strongly believes in family/whanau representation in the recovery process at all levels – from pavement to parliament.

 

Ernie Tait
Council Member
Ernie is an experienced commercial lawyer and civil litigator ─ he is the senior partner of a Christchurch law firm. He was educated in Southland and attended Otago University. Ernie is the father of four children, one whom suffers from mental illness. His interests include travel, bridge, theater and tramping.

 

Jane Skeates
Council Member
Jane, from the Waikato, has been a member of National Council for over three years.

 

Clare Dixon
Council Member
Claire has been on National Council for over 2 years and is from Christchurch.