After 38 years in existence the Waitakere Licensing Trust finally has a woman at the helm.  Following on from well known local men such Gordon Sunde, Bob Stanic, Ross Dallow and Warren Flaunty, Linda Cooper, a city councillor for the last six years, was elected by her fellow trustees at their first meeting after the October election. 

“After nine years as a trustee I feel honoured that my peers have considered me right for the role. I have always enjoyed working in our West Auckland community so this position gives me the chance to continue that in a meaningful way.

We are entering a new era with the retirement of our CEO of 15 years, Murray Spearman, so it seems a fitting time to create a new executive team with Simon Wickham who Joined The Trusts as CEO in February. We will be building on the strengths that Murray and the past elected members have developed.”

Warren Flaunty, the outgoing President, says that with his elected positions on three Local Boards and the Waitemata District Health Board his time is fully committed so he was pleased to pass on the role to Mrs Cooper, “Linda has always been an active and fully contributing member of the Trust and I think she will do a great job and she has my full support”.

Mrs Cooper says, “Over the last few years the community has seen some fresh additions to our establishments, such as the Hangar and the refurbishment of the Lincoln Green. “The global financial situation has been very difficult in the last few years and we have had to be prudent, but with the Rugby World Cup later this year and a modest upturn in the economy we can look forward to some exciting opportunities.”