Past volunteers

Sylvia McKenzie’s long association with the gallery began with the formation of the Friends of Aigantighe in 1976. Sylvia’s late husband Evan was the first President of the new organisation,and Sylvia served along side him on the committee of the Friends for many years. 

Over that time,she was involved in decisions to purchase artworks for the Aigantighe’s permanent collection, includingthe sculpture titled Study from Life by Francis Shurrock, a personal favourite of Sylvia’s.

During Meg Parkin’s timeas Director of the Aigantighe, when there were only two full-time staff members,the need a rose for more help in the Gallery so the call was made for volunteers. Sylvia was among the first volunteers to give her time at reception during open hours. Volunteers have been a vital part of the Aigantighe team ever since, as the first point of contact for visitors to the gallery. 

That was over 20 years ago and Sylvia is still a reliable presence behind the reception desk each week. She enjoys the social element of the role - she likes to see people and have a chat. In her words: “Visitors are just as important to the volunteers as the volunteers are to the visitors.”

Many generous individuals donated their time over the years, including Wendy Doig, who faithfully volunteered one day a week for over a decade. Her husband, architect Ronald Doig, designed the new wing to include gallery spaces, a reception area, and staff facilities.

My association with the Aigantighe Art Gallery began in 1956 when I was visiting Timaru and invited to attend the official opening. Little did I know then that in 1960 I would come to live in Timaru with my husband Ronald, an architect who established his practice ere and in 1978 designed the extensions to Aigantighe, for which he was awarded an NZIA Design Award. Meanwhile I became interested in pottery, founded the South Canterbury Pottery Group and taught pottery at Timaru Technical College with Ainslie Manson who later became the second Director at Aigantighe. My interest in the visual arts continues and overthe years we have builtup a large collection, especially of art associated with South Canterbury, and the “Dohig Collection” is now part of a bequest to the Gallery.

I maintain my interest in pottery, but now have a renewed interest in patchwork and creative knitting. I joined the Friends o fAigantighe when it was established, was elected a life member in 1993 and subsequently President. During my term the
Friends celebrated their 25th birthday with a memorable function at the Gallery and marked the occassion with the presentation of three works of art associated with South Canterbury.

Over the past 15 years I have been a volunteer at the Gallery and still enjoy this role today. It is a pleasure to greet visitors to the Gallery and assist them to enjoy their time there.