Staff & Governance

Meet the Key Staff at the Victory Community Centre

Email: vccmanager@victory.school.nz

Phone: 03 546 8389

Rebecca has worked in the Health sector as a social worker for the past 20 years in Christchurch, England and Nelson.  More recently she has moved in to management. 

Her research for her Masters of Health Science looked at the diners at Loaves & Fishes, a local soup kitchen in Nelson, and concluded that those who attend these meals are likely to have significant mental health and addiction issues, live in poverty and are often isolated from family, community and resources. 

Rebecca is passionate about the work of this community and seeks to engage with the people of Victory to hear their needs. 

Email:  vccreception@victory.school.nz

Phone: 03 546 8389

Currently on maternity leave

Ko Te Arawa te waka, Ko Te Arawa Māngai - nui ūpoko tū takitaki.

Ara is part of the team here at the Victory Community Centre, since December 2018. Having grown up within the Victory Community she comes with a wealth of knowledge and some great connections with the community. Ara enjoys meeting and greeting and helping others with information sharing. Feel free to pop in for a cuppa tea or chat

Email: vccactivities@victory.school.nz

Phone: 03 546 8389

Ariana Ngaruhe Born in Palmerston North, a descendant of Waikato, Ngati Mahanga, Ngati Apa, Nga Waiariki, Nga Rauru, Ngati Kahungunu and Tuwharetoa.  Graduated with a Bachelors of Social Work (Biculturalism in practice) while studying at Te Wananga o Aotearoa. Ariana moved with her family to Nelson in 2014. She is currently studying her Masters in Maori and Indigenous Leadership. Ariana is dedicated to Whanau Ora and most enjoys the privilege to be working with community and whanau.  

Email: vccnurse@victory.school.nz

Phone: 03 546 8385

Steph joined the team in May 2019. She has many years experience of community nursing, and loves to help make a difference to peoples lives. Steph is keen to help you access local health services and can also undertake comprehensive health assessments. Please give Steph a call or drop into the centre and have a chat.
 

Email: vccaod@victory.school.nz

Phone: 03 546 8389

 
Sabien joined the Victory Community Centre in March 2019. She has worked in the mental health and addictions fields for a number of years both in New Zealand and in the United States. She is passionate about supporting tangata whaiora (people seeking wellness) to live meaningful and productive lives. She moved to New Zealand in 2011 with her family and is grateful to be welcomed to such a beautiful country.
Please feel free to contact Sabien with any questions or concerns regarding alcohol or other drugs
 

Email: vcccomnav@victory.school.nz

Phone: 03 546 8389

Email: vccaccounts@victory.school.nz

Phone: 03 546 8389

Learn more about our Board of Trustees

Helen’s employment background is in health sector policy and research. Helen currently works in governance across the non-profit sector in Nelson. In addition to chairing the VCC board, she is the Chair of the Victory Primary School Board of Trustees and the Workstar Supported Employment Board. She is a member of the Safeguarding Children Initiative board and is part of the Governance Group for Te Kāhui Ako ki Whakatū. 

Helen enjoys working in collaborative enterprises, particularly in the social services sector.  Helen is passionate about Victory and is committed to supporting local community spirit and enterprise. 

Margaret is a Chartered Accountant with 35 year’s experience in the commercial sector and is a committed Nelsonian for 25 years.  She has volunteered in the not-for-profit sector for most of that time. 

She joined the Victory Community Board in 2017 inspired to help provide opportunities for new New Zealanders and other families who struggle with access to employment, health and accommodation.

 

Bio under construction

 

Kylie is a communications and community engagement specialist of 15 years, having gained broad experience working for organisations in Australia and New Zealand.
 
Kylie has a Masters in Organisational Communication and a Diploma in Applied Photography.  Her current roles include Communications Manager for Predator Free Wellington, and Social Investment Manager for Shell New Zealand. 
 
Kylie is a strong believer in the critical role played by grassroots organisations and volunteers in our communities, as such she includes a volunteer component in all of her working agreements. Currently her volunteer roles include managing communications for Tiaki te Mauri o Parininihi Trust in Taranaki, as well as providing communications advice to various volunteer conservation groups supporting the work of Predator Free Wellington.
 
As a Victory local, Kylie is passionate about the potential of Victory and its people.  She is excited about being on the Victory Board and working collaboratively with the community to help achieve our vision of a thriving and caring community.
 

Jeff is a passionate advocate for a life lived seamlessly among the neighbourhood as
the community.

Jeff is an Anglican priest. He has a sense that being a priest in the community
requires one to listen well and respond to the needs of the community without
judgement or coercion.

Jeff tries to use his extensive background in intercultural engagement to serve his
community. He always attempts to use his cultural lessons he has gained through
living in Kenya, Niger, Uganda, Nepal, the USA and New Zealand to foster more
understanding bridges across cultural gaps. He gets animated when it comes to
engaging in conversations that foster and deepen interpersonal and intercultural relationships.

I have enjoyed being apart of Victory Community for over 20 years. The highlight was being apart of the establishment of VCC followed by the opportunity to be the first nurse at the Victory Community Centre. Now I enjoy participating in a variety of activities here and supporting the board and the VCC team.