Northland Down Syndrome Support Group
Meet Our Charitable Trust Board Members
Kathryn Sadgrove, Secretary and Regional Coordinator
Kathryn has been the main contact for Northland Down Syndrome Support Group for many years. She works for Idea Services - Admin and is on the NDHB Consumer Council involved in ongoing projects at Whangarei hospital. Kathryn attends the NDHB governance meetings for Maternity and Child Health and is a strong advocate for our families that use these services. Kathryn has served on the NZDSA committee, has worked in Northland's disability sector for many years, including time as a transition to work coordinator for Idea Services with WINZ. She has strong relationships in health, education and social services in our community. Kathryn has three children. Thomas, her youngest at 30, has Down syndrome. She is also a grandma.
Bev Smith, Chairperson and NZDSA Representative
Bev is a public health nurse working in schools across the Whangarei district and further north. She has three children and one grandson. Bev's oldest daughter, Erin, is in her thirties. She has Down syndrome and works for Northland District Health Board.
Jo Morrison, Treasurer and Education Adviser
Jo is a secondary school English teacher. Before having children she was an Assistant Principal at a large secondary school in the UK responsible for professional development and community engagement. Jo has completed a Master of Education through the University of Auckland, exploring teaching practice for students with Down syndrome across Tai Tokerau Northland.
She has two daughters - Eva (aged 10) and Lucy (aged 8) who has Down syndrome.
Fiona Rowse, Trustee
Fiona is a secondary school guidance counsellor. Fiona has three daughters: Roxanne aged 33, Freedom aged 31, and Anahera aged 29. Her middle daughter, Freedom, has Down syndrome and is currently living independently in a small flat and keeping herself busy with paper deliveries and a passionate involvement with hip hop.