Greenhithe Residents Association (original) (raw)

Greenhithe Residents Association

Our History:

The Greenhithe Residents Association (“GRA”) is a community group that focuses on the interests of Greenhithe. Through the original Hall Association, its roots can be traced back since 1914. In 2002 the Hall Committee and the Residents and Ratepayers Association merged to become a single organisation.

In 2016 the name of the organisation was simplified to the Greenhithe Residents Association.

Our Missions:

GRA is run by a committee and supports the needs and interests of the community.

It has two major areas of interests:

1. To maintain and lease to the community our two halls, the Community Hall and the Old School Building. The Community Hall had a major upgrade and refurbishment in September 2018.

2. To advocate for the building and improvement of the infrastructure facilities and security of Greenhithe.

GRA owns the Greenhithe Community Hall and leases the Old School Building. We are responsible for the upkeep of these buildings and for generating revenue to enable them to provide a place for local residents and groups to meet.

GRA has undertaken the responsibility for being the voice of our community with dealings with both Local Board and Council. We work as advocates to ensure the best interests of the community are well served and that the Council maintains our roads, pavements and public areas appropriately.

Past Projects influenced by the Association:

In 2015, GRA had a great deal of success in ensuring that Auckland Council upgraded Tauhinu Road, and then continued to work with the Council on cycleway additions to Upper Harbour Drive. Other important projects include:

• Community Hall Renovations
• OSB renovations
• Footpath upgrades
• Council Submissions
• Auckland Transport Submissions
• Watercare Submissions
• Roading around the Greenhithe School, Churchhouse Road, Roland Road, Tauhinu Road
• Parking bays off Greenhithe Road
• Roundabout plantings and maintenance
• Greenhithe Skate Park
• Various road repairs – ongoing
  • Tauhinu Road Improvement
  • Rame Road Improvement
• Parks/ parks furniture/ walking tracks maintenance
• Road safety and traffic
  • Upper Harbour Drive and Albany Highway Intersection traffic flow
• Waste water reticulation
• Protesting against Whenuapai Airport expansion
• Village signs
• Neighbourhood support
• Reviewing Council consents and their deviation from regulations

Our Committee Members:

Ken Forrest – Chairman

• Ken is a very recent addition to the Greenhithe community and is thoroughly enjoying the green spaces, sense of community and welcoming people. In his spare time he enjoys track walking, mountain biking and watching football. Ken is a chartered accountant, experienced director, senior executive and leader with construction, wholesale/distribution, agribusiness, engineering and several different sectors. He sees taking on the chairmanship role as doing his part in the community and a wonderful opportunity to become a “Greenhithian”.

Jackie Miles – Deputy Chair

• Jackie has lived in Greenhithe for the past 14 years with her family. Her children went to Greenhithe Kindergarten and Primary School. During those years she was part of the organising committee for the Greenhithe Garden Tour (with my garden in the tour twice) and an active member of the school PTA. She has a food science degree and work in the natural health supplement manufacturing industry. Our family loves living in Greenhithe and enjoy the community spirit.

Trish Cassone

• Trish Cassone and her family moved to Greenhithe 10 years ago. The main attraction to draw the family to Greenhithe was the village atmosphere and a reputation for people still connecting with neighbours and residents being involved within the community. Continuing on from serving other community groups both overseas and in New Zealand, Trish joined the Greenhithe Residents’ Association. Trish’s spare time is taken up with family activities, socialising and house renovations.

Tricia Moore – Secretary

• Happily married to Richard with a daughter and son. She has lived in Greenhithe for 27 years. She was a member of the Establishment Committee for the Greenhithe Kindergarten. She has always enjoyed the great community spirit of Greenhithe and would like to contribute more to keeping this great spirit alive. Her interests include making miniatures, interior design, music and art, in other words anything creative. When the Old Dairy was demolished in 2009 she decided to preserve a piece of Greenhithe history by recreating a model of the old dairy which was displayed on the counter of the new dairy for many years.

Mick Sinclair

• Mick Sinclair is married to Alice, with a son named Edward. We have been in Greenhithe for 6 years, and love living here. I am a practising lawyer, specialising in Intellectual Property and Media law. I have been on a number of arts boards, including the Black Grace Dance company, the Going West Literary festival and the International Comedy festival. I am presently on the board of the Screen Producers organisation, which represents film and television producers. Aside from the arts, my interests are sailing, skiing and gardening.

Michelle Heald

• Michelle is married to Phillip, and they have three sons. They moved to Greenhithe 9 years ago. They have had a business on the North Shore for 22 years. Michelle really loves the community feel of Greenhithe, where people are always offering help if needed. Michelle is on the Committee for Tauhinu Sea Scouts and looks after Grants and helping organising the Pancake Breakfast. Michelle enjoys gardening, reading and cooking.

Ehsan Zabihi

• Happily married to Maryam and we have 2 sons who we love them a lot. My main academic study was on Software Engineering and Mastering of Business. I have extensive experiences in IT management and Paid-Search Marketing. Have a company in North Shore with 4 employees doing international marketing on the internet giant paid-search marketing platforms for a big retailer in United States. We moved to Greenhithe 5 years ago from Takapuna and fell in love with the very peaceful and quiet environment of this area. I am also pleased that I have been invited to participate in the Greenhithe Residents Association and really hope my IT Management and Marketing skills can be helpful for Greenhithe and the community.

Nika Osbourne

• Originally from Russia, Nika moved to NZ in 2002 and has been living in Greenhithe with her family since 2011. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business management and a PG degree in Marketing, and has more than 16 years experience in strategic marketing, brand management and organisation of dynamic corporate trade-shows and events.
  In her free time she enjoys yoga, skiing, surfing and gardening. She likes the community feel and village atmosphere of Greenhithe and will continue to support the needs and interests of this area.

Chris Fraser

• Third generation “Greenhithian” who has recently moved back into the community with his partner Fleur and 3 young children. Chris is an architectural designer and director of Habitus Mode Architecture which was established in 2007. His personal strengths and passion lie in design, construction, project managing and liaising with consultants to deliver successful projects and developments. Hobbies include landscaping, bike riding, boating, kitesurfing and being involved in family and club sporting activities with the kids. Chris has offered his services to the GRA to help preserve the uniqueness and character of the village, for the next generation to enjoy.

We are always looking for new members to help us in our work. Membership costs just $20 a year ( the price of a round of coffees) but goes a long way towards helping us to continue to put pressure on Auckland Council to upgrade our roads, pavements and public spaces. We are blessed to live in an amazing community. Help us to ensure it continues to be an amazing place to live.

To join the association, simply click on membership in the menu, or click here.