Dame Patsy officiated at a special investiture for Roy Cowley, who received the insignia of an MNZM for his services to charity governance and the arts. Roy volunteered in governance roles for charity and the arts community in Wellington for more than 30 years and has been closely associated with The Cancer Society, the New Zealand International Festival of the Arts and the New Zealand School of Dance. Due to ill health, Roy is unable to attend a ceremony at Government House.
Congratulations Roy and thank you for your valuable service to the community.
Roy Cowley's Citation
Your Excellency
TO RECEIVE THE INSIGNIA OF A MEMBER OF THE NEW ZEALAND ORDER OF MERIT
Mr Roy James Cowley, for services to charity governance and the arts
Mr Roy Cowley has volunteered in governance roles for charity and the arts community for more than 30 years.
Mr Cowley has contributed thousands of hours to advising the Cancer Society of New Zealand at a governance level for more than 20 years. He was elected Chairperson of the Wellington Division from 2006 to 2016 and represented the Division on the Society’s national board from 2011 until 2016. He guided the organisation during the expansion of its Supportive Care and Health Promotion Services and overall growth. He was granted Life Membership in 2016 and awarded the Meritorious Service Award in 2017, the Cancer Society’s highest award for volunteer service. He has also supported the growth of the arts in New Zealand as a trustee of the New Zealand International Festival of the Arts from 1996 to 2010 and the New Zealand School of Dance from 1998 to 2004. He oversaw the evolution of the New Zealand International Festival into a permanent institution and assisted with transforming the Festival into a major contributor to the arts in New Zealand. Mr Cowley was also an independent advisor for more than 25 years to the Little Company of Mary in New Zealand, overseeing the financial management of the organisation’s healthcare facilities including the Mary Potter Hospice in Wellington.
