Life Membership awarded at conference

As one of my last acts as President, it gave me great pleasure to be able to announce who had received Life Membership of SLANZA during last week's conference.

We were delighted at the calibre of the nominations for the people who received Life Membership as they exemplify all the qualities and attributes of best practice in literacy, advocacy, promotion, professional development and also a very evident willingness to be involved on a local and national level.
The recipients are as listed:

Pauline McCowan

In recognition of Pauline’s contribution to the formation of SLANZA, her long term role on the National Executive and SLANZAK and her promotion of SLANZA nationally.  Her participation on conference committees and her constant support of school librarians and their value over the last 12 years.

Pauline’s involvement with SLANZA dates from the very earliest meetings of the organisation.  She was part of the Auckland School Library Association (ASLA) for many years and then contributed to the creation of SLANZA, was on the National Executive for several years and was a member of the IASL and Auckland conference committees.  At the local level, Pauline was actively involved with SLANZAK until her retirement in 2011, organising professional development and events  as well as presenting at SLANZA conferences nationally. Pauline also trained as a teacher-librarian and has shared her knowledge of information literacy programmes and love of literature with others through her work at National Library.


John Fowler

In recognition of John’s long term role and contribution to the ASLA and SLANZAK committees over the past 34 years, his involvement in the provision of professional development in the Auckland region and his participation in the organisation of the IASL conference and the Auckland conferences.

34 years - what an amazing contribution to school libraries John has made.  He joined ASLA in 1979, quickly becoming the secretary and was the Chair for seven years.  John helped to form SLANZAK, was part of the the IASL and both Auckland conference committees, and has contributed greatly to providing professional development opportunities in the Auckland area too. John has just stepped down from SLANZAK and has signalled his intention to retire from Kings’ College at the end of the year, where he has been a teacher-librarian for 20 years.  His quiet manner and institutional knowledge will be greatly missed.


Jeannie Skinner

In recognition of the tireless effort Jeannie has put into the development of Te Tai Tokerau as a region, for her advocacy and passion for the promotion of literacy and reading, and the unstinting support Jeannie has provided to all involved in school libraries across Northland.

Jeannie’s nomination was accompanied by several heartfelt testimonies, outlining the dedication Jeannie has shown to SLANZA  and the invaluable support she provides to all people involved with school libraries across Te Tai Tokerau.  Jeannie is known for her love of and advocacy for all forms of literature and has been instrumental in assisting schools to apply for grants to improve their libraries and collections.  She is a moving force in ensuring Northland has author tours and the Storylines festival, to the envy of other areas. She has served on the committee for since it began and one of the testimonies said:  Since Jeannie returned to Northland, she has always been on  the SLANZA committee, and it will be a sad day when this is not so.


Linda McCullough

In recognition of Linda’s work on behalf of the SLANZA members of the Waikato/Bay of Plenty region, her continuous service to the schools in the area and her dedication to fostering the development of people on the regional committee, and for her efforts to provide excellent PD and support to members in the Waikato/Bay of Plenty.

Linda has worked tirelessly for the Waikato/Bay of Plenty area and has put a huge amount of effort into growing the talents and abilities of those on the Waikato/Bay of Plenty committee, ensuring the stability and development of the committee.  Linda has been involved with SLANZA since the steering committee meetings in 2000 and has been on the Waikato/Bay of Plenty committee since the beginning. She has played a crucial part in ensuring many others are recognised for their achievements and her nominators have quite rightly pointed out that it is time Linda was recognised for all she has done for others.


Adaire Hannah

In recognition of Adaire’s advocacy for all involved in school libraries across New Zealand, her advocacy to people in very high places and to other organisations on behalf of SLANZA, her work in ensuring students have the information literacy skills necessary for success and her participation in SLANZA in Wellington and nationally over the past 12 years.

Adaire’s dedication to SLANZA and her advocacy for all working in school libraries is legendary.  She is renowned as someone who is forthright and direct and has used that to promote the cause of SLANZA and school libraries everywhere, as part of National Executive and as a SLANZA representative on committees such as TPSAC and the PPTA ICT taskforce. Adaire was part of the Wellington SLANZA committee since its inception and she also has been part of the very successful Wellington conferences too, both as a convenor of conference committees and as a presenter. Adaire’s work as a teacher-librarian was recognised nationally by SLANZA and LIANZA, for the whole school information literacy programme she created and has run in collaboration with other staff throughout Wellington High.


Glenda Fortune

In recognition of Glenda’s contribution to the formation of SLANZA, and her long term role on the Aoraki committee. Also for her support in so many ways of SLANZA and the work it does, but especially for the outstanding support she has provided to all in Christchurch during the last two years.

Glenda was part of the original group who discussed the possibility of a national organisation for those interested in school libraries, and she has been part of the Aoraki committee since then.  as well as organising professional development on a local level, she has has been on both the Christchurch conference committees, and has presented at conferences too. One of the most touching parts of Glenda’s nomination was reading about how Glenda has supported, helped and lead people who have been affected by the Canterbury earthquakes and they say: Glenda remains our quiet peaceful harbour giving us wisdom and support throughout.

Congratulations to our new Life Members and thank you for the dedication you have shown to SLANZA.