Committee
Ann David
Past 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 assisted dying 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.
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.
Phillip Melchior
Phillip has been a member and supporter of EOLC since 2012, joining
after a diagnosis of Cardiac AL Amyloidosis which obliged him to
confront his own mortality. He is a strong supporter of advanced care
directives and believes people should have a voice in their own
treatment, including the right to refuse and the right to request help
to die.
Rochelle Faulkner
Rochelle is an admitted lawyer with 22 years in the pharmacy profession.
She is passionate about improving end-of-life care and supporting the
ongoing development of New Zealand's assisted dying law. Caring for her
grandmother during the final week of her life
amid the COVID-19 pandemic profoundly shaped her commitment to ensuring
people have dignity, choice, and compassionate support at the end of
life.
