About Us

Hibiscus Coast has a management committee of nine people. We meet every two months after the general meeting. With some convenors covering two groups we have 18 convenors for our 20 groups. 

A subcommittee is planning our 30th Anniverary event for November 2025. 

Our branch of U3A is growing with 230+ members but there is plenty of room for more!

President:  Peter Gillmore

After working in senior management positions in both the private sector and Government, in New Zealand, the UK and Australia, including time as Marketing Manager for Telecom NZ, Peter retired in Australia and joined U3A Gold Coast where he became President. After returning with his wife Libby to New Zealand for family reasons, Peter joined U3A Hibiscus Coast where he took over from Netta as Convenor of our History Group, and started our Music Appreciation Group, and with Maureen our Short Story Group.

Vice President: Charles Deane

Charles was an English as a Second Langauge teacher who ran his own school in the UK. He's a petanque player, taking part in international competitions and is a member of the History, Science, Travel and Poetry groups. 

Immediate Past President & Network Coordinator: Gavin Whyte

Gavin is a former engineer and a keen traveller having explored many little known parts of the world. Gavin took the Travel Group before handing it over and started the Quizzers Group. Gavin is a JP and much involved in Rotary and other community organisations. 

Secretary: Maureen Jansen

Maureen is a retired English teacher keen on reading, walking and current affairs. Having spent most of her working life in Rotorua,  Maureen moved to the Hibiscus Coast in 2012.  She is the convenor of the Poetry Group and co-convenor of the World Today and Short Stories Groups.

Treasurer: David Shaw

Membership Secretary: Wendy Hawkins

Speaker Coordinator: Jill Everest

Newsletter Editor: Jenny Casale

Welfare Officer: Jeannetta Dearsley

Constitution

Our constitution was amended in 2024.