BBNZ Executive
About Boys' Brigade New Zealand » BBNZ Executive
Paul Blackler - National President
It always amazes me the number of people that know of or have experienced 'Brigade', yet are genuinely surprised to learn that the movement is still going. Why is that? How have they come to that conclusion, and as a movement how do we market the fact that we have a very much alive and vibrant origination?
A little bit about me. I am married to Jennifer and we have three teenage children - David, Michelle and Andrew. We could best be described as a 'Brigade family' with Jennifer serving locally in the 29th Christchurch Girls' Brigade Company as well as holding a position on GB National Executive. All our children have been involved in Brigade since the age of five with David and Michelle now serving in leadership roles in the 1st Christchurch BB and 29th Christchurch GB companies respectively.
I began my BB journey with the 7th CH-CH Company as boy and later serving for a number of years in both Team and Company Sections. After a break (marriage and mission work in Papua New Guinea) I joined the 1st Christchurch Company in 1996 where I continue to serve in the Company Section. I currently also serve on BBNZ Executive having been co-opted for the 2010 year. Other BB roles have included chairing The Sure and Stedfast Development Trust – the trust responsible for management of BB campsites at Waipara and Birch Hill in Canterbury – a position that I had held for nine years prior to my resignation in April of this year.
I work for a large Property and Construction company, managing their interests in the South Island, have a statutory appointment as Deputy Chairman of the Building Practitioners Board, chair the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology Trades Innovation Institute Advisory Board, and serve on the Management Team at Beckenham Baptist Church where my family and I attend. I am often asked why I still serve in BB. For me the answer is very easy: "I believe in our Objective". Yes the words may be viewed as a little out-dated, but the intent remains just a relevant as when it was written some 125 plus years ago. Simplistically I serve because I want to see Christ's Kingdom advanced among boys and beyond.
Les Bouterey - Immediate Past President
Les has had a long involvement with BB, passing through the ranks of the 6th Christchurch Company when he commenced as an intermediate midway through 1960, gaining his QB in 1963.
He has attended NLDC courses as a boy and served later as a squad officer.
Les has been Captain of the 6th ChCh Company for 25 years, held numerous organisational, training and other leadership positions in the Canterbury Battalion and has also been prominent in new conceptions of camping and award programmes for young people.
Co-opted to BBNZ as Programming Convenor, his skills lie heavily in the areas of planning and conceptualisation, organisation and communication.
He continues to assist local BB Companies as required and currently works as an Electrical Service Technician dealing with Postal Automation systems. Les and his wife Gay enjoy ballroom dancing but whenever time permits is allowed a spot of mountaineering and tramping.
Michael Good - National Director
Michael joined BBNZ on 28th November and is already showing capable servant leadership, particularly relating to the staff. His personal profile may be found on the Staff page.
Eric Russell - National Treasurer
Eric has had a long involvement with the Boys' Brigade, passing through the ranks of 1st Blenheim from Team Section through to gaining the Queens' Badge in 1968. He served for a time in the 70's as a lieutenant in 14th Wellington Company, and as Treasurer for the Wellington Battalion. He currently works for a firm of chartered accountants in Te Aroha. His wife Wendy is a great supporter, providing time to enable him to carry out the financial work of Brigade.
Ian Foster - Northern Area Representative
I am 45 years old and married to Adele. We have 3 children - Liam 12, Holly 9 & Jensen 6. I lead a group of Iconz Adventure & Anchor boys in Papatoetoe, formally the 5th Auckland Boys’ Brigade, with approx 30 boys, and an ICONZ Xtreme group in Papatoetoe with 16 boys which was started the beginning of 2008. My involvement with Boys Brigade has been since starting as a boy in the early 1970’s.
I run a charitable trust (South Auckland Christian Food Bank) in South Auckland, which supplies food to various organizations, and is involved in other ministries as well.
My interests are Motor Racing, snow & water skiing and spending time with the family.
I attend Papatoetoe Community Church.
Scott Billington - Central Area Representative
I have been involved in BB since joining the 2nd Palmerston North Team section in 1983. I have been at 2nd since then, apart from a time while at Auckland University. During that time I joined in with the Papatoetoe Combined Company. I gained my Queen’s Badge in 1993.
I am currently the LIC Company Section, and am also active at Battalion level as Manawatu’s President. I have previously served on National Executive between 2000 and 2004.
I work as a radio engineer, mainly servicing the power industry. Outside of work, other things I’m occupied with include Amateur radio, bits and pieces at Palmerston North Central Baptist Church, and dispatching the odd possum.
I believe BB is a great programme which effectively blends Christianity and the outdoors and is an important influence for many of our members.
Shane Cross - Upper South Area Representative
I am 46 and married to Tracey. We have 3 children – Jared 19, Nathan 15 and Emily 10, and also a foster girl Shanae, 12. All of our children are/have been involved with Brigade. Jared was a Queen’s Man last year (2009) and is now studying at Victoria University.
I received my Queen’s Award in 1981 while a member of the 1st Renwick Company. Back in my day (I just had to say that…) we were part of the Nelson/Marlborough Battalion with 4 Companies in Marlborough and several in Nelson. Now only 1 company remains - ours, 1st Blenheim.
For the last 3 years I have also been involved with NLDC as a Stage 1 Leader. This is a great opportunity for the boys, but has also been for me too. There is so much to be gained from experiences such as this and keeps you passionate about what you do.
Outside of BB I am involved with St Christophers Anglican Church (although not an Anglican) as the Vicar’s Warden. My wife is right into netball and is the President of her netball club. Her way of giving back to something she loves too.
So we are passionate about the things we love and want to see them prosper. That’s what I would bring to Executive, a passion to see our movement continue to go forward and share in the building of a great future for our sons to want to give back to their sons.
David Gray - Lower South Area Representative
I joined the Life Boys at age 8 and progressed through to Company Section with the 11th Southland Company, becoming a Sergeant and achieving my Queens Badge. I then spent a year as a helper with that Company before heading off to Otago University. On returning 5 years later I was appointed as an officer, and the following year (1981) as Captain of the 11th Southland Company. After serving there as Captain for about 8 years I transferred to the 3rd Southland Company (other end of town) where I joined as a Lieutenant, then LIC of the Team Section and then Captain, the position I still hold. I have been an active member of the Southland Battalion being Treasurer for far too many years and was Battalion President for a 3 year term. My passions in life are Boys Brigade, the outdoors, fishing, whitebaiting, soccer (player and coach) and tramping with our Boys Brigade Company. I am a self employed accountant with a home based practice that allows me time to devote to Boys Brigade and other pursuits. I am 53 years young, married to Dianne with 4 children, 2 boys and 2 girls. One of my sons achieved his Queen's Badge with Boys Brigade and both my daughters have achieved their Queen's Award through Girls Brigade, it's part of our family. My calling for Christian Service is Boys Brigade and has been all my life.
Youth Representative
As Daryl Looms' term as Youth Rep on National Executive expired in May, he graciously agreed to continue serving until the election of a new Youth Rep. However it was necessary for him to withdraw from this role in September. Arrangements are being processed to hold a Youth Forum early in 2012.