G.I.F.T. CENTRE
Providing a sacred and fulfilling environment for those with intellectual disability.
Anthony Segedin - Chairman of the Board
In June 2016 Bishop Patrick Dunn invited Anthony to take the Chair of G.I.F.T.
Anthony is excited to be part of the G.I.F.T. apostolate, "It's the opportunity to see the face of God in the intellectually disabled who need special support and encouragement and to bring the Good News to them in a way that they can better understand and live it."
Anthony is a lawyer, now semi-retired and practicing in Auckland. He looks forward to being part of the G.I.F.T. Board offering his expertise to advance the cause of the G.I.F.T. apostolate.
A parishioner of St. Michael's Remuera, Auckland and a member of its Parish Finance Committee, he was also a member of the Board of NZ Catholic newspaper for 16 years till 2014, the last six of those as Chairman.
Joanne McCrae
Joanne has been on the G.I.F.T. Board since 2005 and is Treasurer.
Her sister Susan was one of the original residents in GIFT so her family has had a long association.
"G.I.F.T. has the responsibility and privilege to be family and to provide a home to the residents of G.I.F.T. and Sinclair House – for me seeing the happiness and growth of the residents is paramount – it is also rewarding to see how this gives great satisfaction to the support workers"
Sr Sian Owen
I am a Sister of St Joseph. For many years what is now called Sinclair House was our home and our sisters taught at the school. We have therefore always considered GIFT part of our community. I begin my teaching life after training in Special Education in in a large urban High school heading the Special Needs unit. This was at the time of initial mainstreaming.
As well as supporting teaching and learning in our unit we walked with teachers, students and families as we moved to a less isolated way of being part of a learning community. That was many ministry positions ago. Since I have been called to teaching Physics and RE at high school, lecturing in the teaching and learning of Theology at university, advising teachers, writing RE resources and then in 2013 leading the Religious Education team in the Catholic Diocese of Auckland. As part of my role I learnt about GIFT.
Since then I moved to lead the pastoral services team and joined the Board of GIFT.
My hope for GIFT is that it continue to be a place of safety and joy that all may grow in relationship. Grow in relationship with themselves, other people, their God and all that God has created.