Past chairpeople

We would like to acknowledge our past Chairpeople for the long hours and good work they put into making the User Group successful. These people include:

Nigel Bernie

  After being in the massive shadows of both Mike and Julian, I finally got my chance to be Chairperson when Julian twisted my arm at a conference in 2009. I have enjoyed my time as Chairperson and have been pleasantly surprised by the success of the two day events. Unfortunately work commitments have meant I have not been able to introduce all the exciting things I had been planning. Emilie is already showing the drive and motivation she brings to the role and I am sure the User Group will further flourish under her guidance.

Julian Phillips

It’s very sad to be saying good-bye to this role, although I will be lurking in the background supporting Nigel and NZSUG, just on a smaller scale, to my relief!! Although the role only lasted just over a year, its sometimes felt like an eternity.

 

Mike Palairet

My association with Defence goes back to the day I enlisted in the RNZAF as a Cadet Pilot on 4 July 1958 – aside from previous membership of Sea Cadets and Air Training Corps in Auckland, where I had lived. As it panned out, I graduated as a Navigator in 1960, and spent the next 10 years flying in the Maritime role. I started on Sunderland Flying Boats, including three years at Lauthala Bay in Fiji, and then became involved with the Lockheed Orions, including participation in the initial training with the US Navy in California for five months. This very memorable time culminated in delivering the second of five Orions to New Zealand. As a Qualified Navigation Instructor, I then became responsible for developing training courses for follow-on crews in New Zealand.