Two new members have been appointed to the Auckland Pride Festival Trust, which is promising dates for the 2014 event will be announced soon. David Coltman, an Executive Director at Unitec Institute of Technology, and film producer and community advocate Andy Jalfon have bolstered the Trust Committee. Coltman is a born and bred Aucklander who lives just off the Pride Parade route in Ponsonby. “This year I was part of the volunteer team for the Pride Parade, and having had such a good time, I’ve decided to step up and be part of the Pride Trust,” he says. The Trust Board says he will add strong community and local government connections, along with extensive governance experience, strong financial management and contract negotiation capabilities. Jalfon is a film producer with JX Live and the former Vice-President of the Gay Auckland Business Association. He says he is looking forward to facing new challenges ahead. "After three years of serving on the GABA Executive, I look forward to being part of a team who will deliver something special to our community," he says. Jalfon is perhaps best known for his work at Number 8 Films, which has produced gay short films such as Teddy and Communication. The board says he has strong relationships with community groups and charities. “The Auckland Pride Festival Trust is delighted to have such calibre and experience on the committee and we are looking forward to working with such amazing and energetic new Board members”, says Megan Cunningham-Adams, Co-chair of the Trust. The pair is replacing departing members Gresham Bradley and Richard James, who helped deliver the first Auckland Pride Festival and Parade in 2013. The Auckland Pride Festival Trust has expressed its thanks to Bradley and James for their “tremendous efforts” and time given, in its first year of governance. Planning for the 2014 Auckland Pride Festival has already begun and details of the festival and parade dates will be announced shortly.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 23rd July 2013 - 9:34am