Tribute to Debbie Cook
Director of Development St Cuthbert’s College
It was a real privilege for me to pay tribute to Debbie Cook for her outstanding leadership and service at the NZ Educate Plus Conference dinner held in the beautiful Dining Hall at Christ’s College on Thursday 13 August 2015.
In this newsletter it is very hard to condense what I said about Debbie at the dinner, for she is not only revered by St Cuthbert’s College, but is greatly admired and is highly respected throughout our profession.
Fortunately we had managed to keep this presentation to Debbie a wonderful surprise. During the lead up to the conference I found myself whispering our plans over the phone to Lynda Reid’s Personal Assistant!
After I spoke about Debbie, Chris Klaassen presented her with a pounamu pendant and Jill Rodgers organised for Debbie to be serenaded by a musical quartet who gave a stunning performance.
Debbie’s association at St Cuthbert’s College has been a long and special one. She is an Old Girl, a past parent, past Board Member and has been Director of Development for 14 years. During the time Debbie was a Trust Board Member at the College she attended a CASE Summer School for Philanthropy at Dartmouth College and so started her passion for carrying out the role to support the school.
Debbie has been in charge of many projects both large and small which have changed the face of the College and raised considerable sums of money. She is an exemplary model of the College motto, `By Love Serve’. This is demonstrated by her passion for education, supporting it through development, her exceptional skills, positive outlook and good humour. At St Cuthbert’s College there is a living example of the excellent working relationship between the Principal Lynda Reid and the Director of Development Debbie Cook and how delighted we were that Lynda was able to attend the dinner.
We congratulate Debbie on her success story and from Educate Plus Australasia again congratulate her on the following awards.
2006 Australasian Award for Fundraising, Special Events
2008 Fellow of ADAPE and now Educate Plus
2014 the Independent Schools of New Zealand, ISNZ, presented an Honours Award for Service to Development
Our sincere thanks to Debbie for her work on the NZ Chapter of ADAPE and now Educate Plus as a Committee Member, Vice President, Member of the Australasian Board and immediate Past President of the New Zealand Chapter.
From Educate Plus Australasia, thank you Debbie for your immense contribution making such a difference to so many lives both at St Cuthbert’s College and throughout our profession. We will miss you, we will always stay in touch and wish you much happiness in your retirement.
From Debbie Cook
Debbie Cook specially asked for her sincere appreciation to be passed on to all the Educate Plus NZ Committee and Members for the wonderful farewell given to her at the Christchurch Conference. It’s a lovely opportunity to record her thanks in this newsletter.
`The thought and generosity that went into this has deeply touched me. The beautiful pounamu pendant will always be treasured and as for the `serenade’ – I am sure that it’s a once in a lifetime experience. I love it and it epitomises the fun and joy we all share in helping each other strive in our careers and benefit our organisations.
Educate Plus has given so much to me. Not only the latest in innovation and ideas in my field but also the encouragement and endorsement that we were following best practice. I look forward to remaining in close contact with you in the hope of being able to give back to the organisation that has supported me so well.’
