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Jenni Vernon
The New Zealand National Fieldays Society has elected Waikato farmer and businesswoman Jenni Vernon at their recent annual general meeting-their first female president/board chair in the organisation’s 55-year history.
While having been on the board for the past 10 years and having held the position of vice president for the past 3 years, Vernon also farms a dry stock unit in partnership with her husband Gordon and son Simon, at Te Akatea, in northwest Waikato.
Having initially trained as a teacher, she has spent more than four decades in farming and governance, became the first female Nuffield Scholar and the first woman chair of Environment Vernon takes over the reins from outgoing President James Allen, who following the rules of the Society has completed his third and final year as president. Vernon acknowledged the contribution that James made to the Society, providing leadership during the uncertain times of Covid-19, while also running his own business.”
She is looking forward to working with the new board alongside the Fieldays management team to deliver on a strong strategic direction and plan for growth.
“With just over 80 days to us delivering Fieldays 2023, some new events coming to Mystery Creek and some exciting plans for the future, we have plenty of work to do,” she says.
The new board also comprises, vice president – Tim Hale, immediate past president – James Allen, Lynette Pearks, Graeme Austin, Margaret Cameron, Clint Gulliver, Jo Finer, Mike Chapman and Barry Quayle.
A function at Parliament on 7th October brought together central government decision-makers, MPs, industry stakeholders and commercial partners to highlight the need for strategic investment in the future of Fieldays and its home, the Mystery Creek Events Centre campus.
The iconic services building at National Fieldays' Mystery Creek site will be demolished to make way for a "contemporary replacement that better serves the needs of both the community and event organisers," says board chair Jenni Vernon.
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Waikato farmer and businesswoman Jenni Vernon has been appointed the first female president/board chair of the New Zealand National Fieldays Society.
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