Lgbti charity the Rule Foundation has appointed two new trustees - Duncan Matthews and Sam Mackay. The Foundation has distributed more than $200,000 nationwide, to a wide range of charities and projects, since 2009. It's named after Peter Rule, who died in Wellington in 1987. He wanted to help the rainbow community to become integrated, valued and supported within New Zealand society, and provided seeding funds for this in his will. The Foundation advertised the trustee positions nationwide in January. "We received a significant number of high-calibre applicants, so the selection process took longer than anticipated,” Foundation chair Stephen Park says. “We are really grateful to everyone who applied. Sam and Duncan's experience and skills nicely complement those of existing trustees, and enable the Foundation to build upon our work to date, to support NZ's rainbow communities." Duncan Matthews is the General Manager of RainbowYOUTH, and has previously volunteered with both UniQ and Hamilton Pride in the Waikato. “I have a huge passion for working with people within our community,” Matthews says. “I believe leadership comes from a place of service. Through this trustee role, I hope to have the chance to meet and connect with the awesome people who do great work to support LGBTI people in NZ.” Sam Mackay is a Wellington-based business development manager who has previously worked in government policy and strategy, and at foreign postings in Malaysia and China. He's also been a freelance columnist with Fairfax Media. “I'm excited about contributing to the development of our LGBTI communities through the Rule Foundation's work,” Mackay says. “Peter Rule's legacy is an invaluable community asset. My hope is to help grow support for the Foundation so it can extend its impact in years to come.”
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily New staff
First published: Saturday, 9th May 2015 - 8:48pm