Staff
Haidee Woods
Manager – Mid & South Canterbury (South Canterbury Lead)
Haidee moved to New Zealand with her family in 2019 and found Timaru to be their new home. She was the Marketing & Communications Manager at a financial and corporate advisory firm in Asia. Before that, she was an Administrative Assistant to the National Director of World Vision Thailand and have had the opportunity to work with local, regional, and international members of the organisation. With her previous positions, she had built a network of professional contacts who are top management executives.
She joined Volunteering Mid and South Canterbury in April 2022 and is very excited to learn about community organisations and be part of the organisation to continue to support in promoting our vision as a one-stop shop for all things volunteering.
When she is not working, she is busy with raising their young daughter with her husband, serving at her local church or baking chocolate liqueur cakes!
Allison Ross
Community Connections Coordinator - Mid Canterbury
Allison was born and raised in Christchurch, before moving to Ashburton after her marriage, where she worked at Higgins Print. She later started a family and moved to the North Island, where she worked for The Salvation Army in a variety of roles.
Allison retrained as an early childhood teacher, gaining a Master’s of Education. Returning to Ashburton in 2023, she found the caring community she had left behind.
Her focus has always been on helping people become a better, stronger version of themselves, so working for Volunteering Mid and South Canterbury sits well with her ethos.
Board Members
Our board members are recruited from the local community (or from our membership) based on their interest in what we do and their range of perspectives and skills. They are elected and serve for a minimum of two years. If you are interested in knowing more please contact us.
Stacey Blissett
Board Chair
After some time in Palmerston North and Wellington, Stacey Blissett returned to Timaru in 2015 and is working as a lawyer at Timpany Walton, a local law firm.
Outside of work, she has recently joined the Volunteering Mid & South Canterbury board and the Community Accounts Service board.
Stacey and her husband enjoy spending time looking after their three, very spoilt dogs.
Rachel Holley-Dellow
Board Member
Rachel moved to Canterbury in 2006 to study at Canterbury University and after a period in the North Island, returned to the region in 2016.
Through various Human Resource roles, Rachel has had the good fortune to work in both Mid and South Canterbury, predominantly within Local Government.
Rachel has volunteered previously in a Church setting, and with Community Law Canterbury, and is excited about the opportunity to give back to an organisation that supports volunteers and volunteer organisations.
Josh Rooney
Board Member
Josh grew up in Temuka, attending Timaru Boys High School before beginning work for HC Partners LP, an accounting firm based in Timaru and Waimate. He has been with HC Partners LP for over 11 years, currently in the Office Manager role and completed his Bachelor of Accountancy degree studying part-time via distance learning through Massey University.
He is living in Timaru with his wife Laura.
Outside of work and studies, Josh is highly involved in a range of sports. In the winter months, he takes to the rugby field as a Senior Rugby Referee for the South Canterbury Rugby Referees Association. Then in the summer, he plays senior cricket for the Temuka Cricket Club.
Additionally, Josh is committed to giving back to his community through his involvement with various organisations. He serves as a board member for The Y Central South Island, South Canterbury Rugby Referees Association, Temuka Cricket Club, South Canterbury Cricket Association, So Kan Ju Judo Club and Volunteering Mid & South Canterbury.
Chris Thomas
Board Member
Chris Thomas is a community leader with strong ties to Timaru. He has owned a small business, run local events, and for the past four years managed Age Concern South Canterbury. With over 15 years of governance experience, Chris brings practical decision making, financial skills, and a steady hand to his work.
Recently elected as a Timaru District Councillor, Chris continues to serve the community through leadership and collaboration. He is known for listening, involving others, and following through, ensuring a people focused and community minded approach at the Volunteering Mid & South Canterbury board.