Who We Are

Margaret Johns

I have held the role of President for many years and in addition currently assist with editing our magazine Vegetarian Living NZ. Over the years I have observed numerous changes including the growth of awareness and general acceptance of a plant based diet and the use of the internet for information gathering and dissemination. It is rewarding to see the growing number of third and fourth generation healthy, vegetarian/vegan kiwis.

Through education via schools and the media, it is great to see the youth of today making the connection between protection of the environment, the protection of animals and the food we eat.

Athol Wilson

Vegetarianism has been a way of life for me since birth.  I find the thought of eating any part of an animal abhorrent.  Over the 30+ years I have been on the NZVS committee where I have performed the duties of Treasurer, and Vice President. In addition I also look after the membership system.

On a personal note I take delight in preparing – and of course eating – yummy vegetarian food!

Julia Clements

I am the NZVS’s Treasurer and Financial Manager.  I am a third generation vegetarian and was a civil engineer before becoming the mother of two healthy fourth generation NZ vegetarian children.

 

 

Jeanette Blackburn

I have been the secretary for NZVS for many years and currently work in the Auckland Centre two days a week.  I am passionate about raising the profile of the Society and helping it grow to become THE authority on vegetarian living.  I have been a vegetarian for over 30 years and believe that setting an example in this way, no matter how small, is enough to make a positive difference to somebody!

Stephanie Lane

I have been a member, volunteer and Auckland Vegetarian Mother’s Group co-ordinator of the NZ Vegetarian Society since 2002. I’ve been vegetarian since I was 16 and am now a vegan mother of three energetic vegetarian boys and a menagerie of animals.

Before children, I was a veterinarian and have owned and managed a vet clinic.  I’m a passionate animal advocate and am enjoying putting my knowledge and business skills to good use for the NZ Vegetarian Society.

Yolanda Soryl

I am the Coordinator of the very active Christchurch Vegetarian Centre, National Coordinator of Vegetarian Families for the NZVS, and have set up and run many veggie groups including vegetarian families and youth groups.

As an educator, I have enjoyed addressing public groups on many occasions about a vegetarian/vegan way of life. I have raised 4 vegan children and been veggie for 30+ years.

Susan Skarsholt

I have been on the NZVS committee for many years, and am enthusiastic about spreading information about the vegetarian lifestyle near and far.  I am one of 5 children all raised on a vegetarian diet in a time when it was an unusual way to live. These days I and my delightful grand children (who are 4^th generation vegetarian), blend very well with other likeminded, healthy eating, humane individuals.

I firmly believe in the quote by Gandhi: The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way it treats its animals.”

Judith Howe

It has been my pleasure to serve on the NZVS committee since I was 18 years of age, helping to ‘spread the word’.  I have participated in many fun festivals, stalls, cooking demos and the like alongside my colleagues.

I was fortunate to be brought up a vegetarian and have followed this lifestyle for nearly 60 years, helping others wherever and in whatever way I can. I believe that we are the ‘normal’ ones by not eating meat, after all isn’t it obvious that it is carnivorous and barbaric to continue to kill and eat other living creatures in the 21^st century?!

Joan Wilson

I became vegetarian for ethical reasons as I could not justify killing and eating animals when I could survive perfectly well as a vegetarian.  I have been on the NZVS Committee for about 30 years and feel that vegetarianism is the diet that will be the norm in the future.

Nicky Owers

I have had a number of voluntary roles for the NZVS and currently I am the media spokesperson while based in Wellington.  I enjoy assisting with the preparation of the magazine Vegetarian Living as well as being an active member of the online email chat group, Vegetarian Families

I enjoy giving cooking demonstrations and have a vast library of easy and fool-proof vegan recipes many of which have found their way into non-vegetarian homes! I have been vegetarian for 27 years and for the last 15 or so have mostly managed to be vegan!