National Committee
Ann David
National President
Ann is a long-time campaigner for the right to die with dignity. She was inspired to become active after witnessing the suffering death of her mother in 2005. Ann believes in the power of the pen and uses the media and letters to politicians to press for compassionate change.
Stewart Brougham
Vice President
Stewart joined the Society in 2020 after the death of his parents. Both died from cancer and Stewart was concerned about their palliative care and that their wishes in terms of treatment were not being followed. Stewart participated in a number of debates on EOLC leading up to the referendum. Stewart was the Christchurch Regional Representative before taking up a position on the National Committee in 2022.
Ashok Poduval
Secretary
Ashok has been a member of EOLC since 2016 and took over as National Secretary from early 2022. He believes that just as people have a right to live with dignity, they also should have the right to die with dignity.
Tony Bengree
Treasurer
Tony has been involved in IT, primarily in software development, for the last 30 years. He joined EOLC Wellington following a number of years volunteer work at a rest home and then seeing a friend slowly die and listening to him say "I don't want to be like this". He went on the Wellington branch committee and took over the role of Treasurer.
Suzanne Carruth
Membership Secretary
Hailing from the scenic Catlins, Suzanne joined the Society to assist with continuing the mahi of improving outcomes and choice for Aotearoa. Growing a half-acre of spray free produce, working full time, knitting and spending time with whanau and mokopuna in Melbourne ensure a happy and busy life.
Dr Libby Smales
CNZM FAChPM.
Libby is a Palliative Care Physician with many years of experience working as Medical Director at Cranford Hospice in Hawkes Bay. After listening to many heart-breaking stories of horrible deaths, she did her own research and motivated by what she learned, by the memories of the suffering of her husband and her father as they died, and the suicides of three dying friends, she joined EOLC.
Dr Jack Havill
Jack is a retired Intensive Care Medicine Specialist. He has spent time as Dean of the Joint Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine (Australia and NZ), Head of Waikato Clinical School and on the Waikato Hospital Board. He was made an Officer of NZ Order of Merit - services to medical research and medicine.
He is an ex-President of the EOLC Society and, having seen many deaths in less than desirable circumstances, and recognises the need for the EOLC Act.
Trudie McNaughton
Trudie has helped care for much loved, dying family members and seen the difference high quality palliative care can offer. She has also witnessed its limits, the suffering of those unable to access a longed for assisted death, and the anguish of their loved ones.
She is committed to enhanced palliative care, including for children, and to fairer access to assisted dying.
