Tributes flow for retiring Board Chairman

Photo: Professor Holborow (centre) with his letter of commendation and gift from the mayor. From left are Mahara Gallery Director, Janet Bayly, Gallery Board Secretary, Kevin Ramshaw, Professor Holborow, Mayor K Gurunathan and Deputy Mayor Janet Holborow.

The presentation of a Mayoral Letter of Commendation was one of the tributes extended to Professor Les Holborow at a function to mark his retirement as Chairman of the Mahara Gallery Trust Board.

Professor Holborow is standing down after serving as Mahara Board Chair for almost five years.

Kāpiti Coast District Mayor K Gurunathan presented Professor Holborow with the letter of commendation in recognition of his services to the arts.

“The Mayoral Office formally wishes to recognise the outstanding work Professor Les Holborow has contributed to the ongoing success of Mahara Gallery and its flagship role in promoting and inspiring the arts in our Kāpiti communities,” said the Mayor.

“Professor Holborow has brought a wealth of arts governance and fundraising experience and delivered these with a level distinction that's a credit to the Board, Kāpiti's arts community and Kāpiti at large.”

Mayor Gurunathan described Professor Holborow as a tireless champion of the Gallery redevelopment project amongst the arts community, his friends and political contacts.

“Over the five years he had chaired the Mahara Gallery Trust Board, he has succeeded in getting the Gallery Redevelopment Project on track and raised a significant share of the funding.”

The Mayor’s comments were echoed by the incoming Chairman Gordon Shroff and by the Board Secretary, Kevin Ramshaw.

Gordon Shroff said that Professor Holborow’s contribution had been significant in a number of areas including a keen interest in the arts, a wide network of contacts across the cultural scene, long experience in applying good governance processes and good humour to complex problems and, not least, a very close and positive relationship with the Deputy Mayor and KCDC representative on the Board, Councillor Janet Holborow.

“It is my good fortune to be taking over as Chair at an exciting time when the investment of time and effort and advocacy by Prof Holborow and other Board members have finally borne fruit and we can look forward with real confidence to starting construction,” said Gordon Shroff.

Professor Holborow was presented with a painting by Anna Layzell who had exhibited in the Gallery’s recent 100 Days Project.

While he is stepping down as Chairman, he will continue to serve on the Gallery board.

Ends