02.10.2018 - VSA lost a valued member of its whānau in September when Sue Watt passed away.
Sue’s career took her from New Zealand to London and New York, where she worked with UNICEF for 20 years. Alongside Sue Kedgely and others, she took on women’s rights at the UN early, and formed the Women’s Group at the UN, leading several protests to secure better terms for female workers there.
After her return to New Zealand, she became a great supporter of VSA’s, joining Council, specifically the finance committee, in 1994. She served on VSA’s Council until 2005, when she stepped down to focus on the Wellington Branch. She was Chair of the Wellington branch for a number of years, before taking on the role of Secretary. She remained the Secretary and branch contact until her passing.
Gavin Kerr, Life Member and immediate past President of the Council, remembers Sue fondly. “Of all the people I worked with on many Councils, I would rate Sue as one of the most significant contributors. Sue was always the key person when it came to strategic planning, and we always looked to her to provide that necessary common-sense and well-grounded thought which drove most of our strategic plans during her times on Council.
“She was able to draw on her previous experience and was always up to challenging woolly or diverting discussion or viewpoints, but always in a diplomatic way which still left no doubt as to where we should be heading. Beneath her outwardly quiet presentation there lay real steel. Her strong commitment to VSA never wavered and in times of stress she was always that cool head one could turn to.”
“Her retirement from Council was much regretted when it came and it left a big hole to fill.”
Moe mai ra, Sue.
Te aroha
Te whakapono
Te rangimarie
Tātou, tātou e.