Friends

The Friends of Randell Cottage support the work of the Randell Cottage Writers Trust. We help with the needs of the resident writers, carry out fundraising for maintenance and furnishings, promote upcoming events like the annual Open Day and writers’ talks, and build community support for the work of the Trust by maintaining links with similar groups in the arts, literary and local communities.

Around Open Day (usually held in conjunction with Wellington Heritage Week in late October or early November), you’ll find many of us in the Cottage gardens helping our part-time gardener prepare for this special annual event. And on the day, Friends join in guiding and hosting visitors to the Cottage. Open Day is a wonderful chance for the public and members to visit this historic home, learn about its past and discover more about the literary magic going on right under our noses!

Join the Friends

See our Founding Rules

Read our 2024 Annual Report
Read our 2024 AGM Minutes

Read our 2023 Annual Report

Read our 2022 Annual Report
Read our 2022 AGM Minutes

Read our 2021 Annual Report
Read our 2021 AGM Minutes

Read our 2020 Annual Report
Read our 2020 AGM Minutes

Life Members
Beverley Randell (2021)
Susan Price (2021)
Dame Fiona Kidman (2025)
 

Honorary Member
Neil Harrap

Committee

President

Ruth Jeffery is a secondary school teacher of English, French and lately Fashion Technology, currently working at Wellington High School. In the 1990s, she worked in script and project development at NZ Film Commission, then established The Film School in Wellington in 2000. She has been involved in theatre, both as a practitioner and as a board member of Circa Theatre.

Ruth currently volunteers as a gardener and tour guide at Katherine Mansfield House and Garden, sings alto in Capital Choir, and writes a monthly newsletter for Brooklyn Garden Club.

Treasurer  

Tim Gruar is a project professional by day and a freelance journalist and reviewer by night. He writes, reviews and photographs for music and theatre websites (including www.ambientlight.co.nz), contributes to The Huttzone on Wellington Access Radio and www.groovefm.co.nz.

He is actively involved in Wellington and Lower Hutt theatre – both on stage and behind the lighting desk. And he also runs and writes for the Groove Book Report, a website dedicated to local writers and reading.

Secretary

Robyn Skrzynski is a graduate of Te Herenga Waka / Victoria University BA in international languages, Robyn spent a year in France and Poland before returning to the teaching scene in Wellington in the 70s. She was a member of Alliance Française (AF) and an office holder on the committee for thirty years before retiring. As an Oral Historian, Robyn interviewed members of AF as part of the AF Centenary Oral History project in 2008. In 2010, Robyn was made a Life Member of the Goethe Society Wellington and the New Zealand Association of Language Teachers. Her passions are gardening, opera and playing tennis.

Susan Stevens is a graduate of Te Herenga Waka / Victoria University BA. and Massey University MA Admin, worked as a teacher for many years in NZ, Canada, England and Australia. She held the position of Principal of St. Mary’s Diocesan School, Stratford, and was later in charge of graduate students at Teachers’ College at Victoria.

Susan volunteers at Samuel Marsden Collegiate as a reader/writer for special needs students.

In accordance with the provisions of the Friends’ Rules, the Chair of the Randell Cottage Writers Trust, Christine Hurley, is an ex officio member of the Executive Committee.