TalkLink Trust Board

The TalkLink Trust is a Charitable Trust which was established in 1991 to provide assistive technology services for people who have communication difficulties.

The Board of Trustees are:

Sam Fairhall

Chairperson TalkLink Trust

Sam is Managing Director of The Business Farm Limited, a company that works to assist small to medium enterprises to increase profitability and company value. Prior to this, he was an executive at TVNZ working in various management and business development roles, the last of these as Managing Director of TVNZ Satellite Services Limited.

Sam is a highly experienced senior executive who brings his expertise in negotiation skills, in strategic planning and in all aspects of management to the TalkLink Board.

Sam lives in Auckland and is interested in the provision of good quality disability services and the ability to communicate. He is committed to the vision of the TalkLink Trust.

Colin Dale

Colin is the Principal of Murrays Bay Intermediate School, Auckland. He is an educator who has worked at every level of the school system. Colin is passionate about equity issues and believes that serving in a governance role on the TalkLink Trust is a valuable way of assisting the many people who benefit from TalkLink services to reach their potential.

Miriama Scott

Tena koutou katoa e nga iwi o nga hau e wha. Ko Ngati Kahungunu raua ko Rangitane nga iwi. Ko Takitimu raua ko Kurahaupo nga waka. Ko Renata raua ko Heketa Te Awe nga whanau. Kei te mahi ahau ki Te Whare Takiura o Manukau I whakamaramatia te kaupapa Maori i roto nga huarahi akonga i te mahi awhina.

Miriama’s whakapapa places her within the rohe of Ngati Kahungunu and Rangitane and she is a kaiako at the Manukau Institute of Technology.

Russell Vickery

Russell is a Disability Consultant, and has worked extensively in the disability field for many years, including working as a lecturer at Auckland University of Technology and Auckland College of Education (now Auckland University), as well as working for the Ministry of Health in a number of disability related roles. Russell has a Masters of Education (Hons) (Disability Studies) Degree as well as a number of other disability-related post-graduate qualifications. From 2005 to 2008 Russell held the role of Executive Officer at the Ripple Trust, which provided Disability Empowerment, Advocacy and Support (DEAS) services. He is also a recently appointed member to the Waitemata DHB for a three year term.

Russell also freely gives of his time to a number of community organisations. As well as being a member of the TalkLink Trust Board, he is a Ripple Trust and Wilson Home Trustee  and a Member of the Society for Disability Studies - United States of America. Russell has also been a National Board Member of CCS Disability Action, and a member of the Individuals with Disabilities Sub-Committee of Lottery Welfare.  He is also a recently appointed member to the Waitemata DHB DiSAC  for a three year term.

Jim Higgins

Jim currently holds the position of Chief Executive of Local Government on Line Ltd, NZ’s Local Government portal.

He also heads The Networking Edge Ltd, a company which provides consultancy services over various Public and Private Sector IT applications. The company has been involved in a wide range of e-business systems. Talklink Wellington took over business from the Technical Aid Trust, of which Jim was on the board for many years.

Jim received the NZCS Award for the Greatest Contribution to NZ Public Sector Computing in the 20th Century. He sits on the Councils of a number of organisations, including the Columbia Group Ltd, Computing NZ Ltd, Licence Management Systems Ltd, Compliance Management Systems Ltd, and e-Xpert Developments Ltd. Jim is a Fellow of the NZ Computer Society.

Jim brings extensive knowledge of world wide technology development and issues to the Board. He is able to provide contacts with the business community to TalkLink that enable us to maintain excellence in our delivery of professional services. Jim has excellent experience at Board management level.

Carol Corlett

Carol is a chartered accountant. She lives in Wellington with her family, and is interested in disability services and issues.

Carol has an extensive work history in all aspects of financial management whilst previously working for the ANZ, for Westpac Banking Corporation and for the Audit Office. She has great skills in effective communication with all people, including clients and stakeholders. She brings her skills in financial management, reporting and planning to the TalkLink Board.

Vicki Terrell

Vicki Terrell is the consumer representative on the board. Vicki has a speech impairment and has been involved in TalkLink since the beginning. She was one of the first people to obtain equipment through TalkLink in 1992.

Vicki moved to Wellington for fourteen years but kept in contact with TalkLink, assisting in the initial set up phase in Wellington. While in Wellington Vicki was involved with a number of disability organisations and worked for three years for CCS Disability Action. Vicki returned to Auckland in 2006 to train for the ministry in the Anglican Church at St John's Theological College. She was ordained deacon in November 2008 and currently works in the Parish of Otahuhu. Otahuhu is on the border of Auckland and South Auckland, and the church reflects the multicultural nature of the community. As well as knowledge and experience of impairment Vicki brings years of experience of the wider community sector.

Sir Gil Simpson