Farewell to Liz McNeill

After four years as manager of the Te Awamutu Visitor Information Centre, Liz McNeill is leaving to take up the position of manager of the new salt water swimming complex and function centre in Napier.

During her tenure Liz has gained a reputation as an enthusiastic innovator, organiser and ambassador. Her efforts on behalf of our community have been well above and beyond the call of duty.

Some of Liz's outstanding achievements include:

• Significantly increasing the profile of the Visitor Information Centre and expanding it's range of services.
• Turning the Information Centre from a completely community-funded operation to a largely self-supporting operation.
• Initiating the annual Rose & Cultural festival (with co-organiser Dean Taylor).
• Winning various commendations in the 2001 and 2002 Business Awards, including the "Best Innovation" prize in 2002 for the "Go Bush" campaign.
• Building a closer association between Te Awamutu and Cambridge.
• Setting up the "Te Awamutu Alive" promotions team.
• A host of other initiatives, from "Balloons in Te Awamutu" to the "Christmas Banners" promotion.

As well as her position at the Information Centre, Liz has until recently been CEO for the Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce. This demanding role included a range of responsibilities from membership administration to promotional event co-ordination. The CEO position is now held by Michael Cox.

Finally, on a more personal note, Liz has been extremely supportive of the Te Awamutu Online website. From the outset Liz saw the potential of this service and has made every effort to help us achieve our current level of success. We are very grateful and appreciative of the working relationship we have built with Liz and the rest of the hard-working team at the Information Centre.

Along with the many people Liz has touched during her time in our community, we wish Liz and Alan all the best in their new venture. You will be missed.