Women’s champion passes torch to new generation
Dame Alison Roxburgh women’s affairs champion b September 6, 1934 d January 25, 2020
Dame Alison Roxburgh, who has died aged 85, travelled extensively in a life devoted to the championing of women’s affairs. She served on the National Council of Women at branch and national levels, as well key involvements with the International Council of Women.
It was a life of service that had its stirrings in the strong work ethic and heavy community involvement of her father, Alec Cameron.
‘‘Her father was a huge influence on her life,’’ Roxburgh’s son Gus says. ‘‘He was very involved in the Dunedin community. She inherited this aptitude to work hard for the community and in the community.’’
Roxburgh said in a radio interview several years ago that her commitment to community work may have been the result of ‘‘a gene I inherited from my father’’.
‘‘He was very civic-minded and very involved. I always have been, too, and I think I always will be.’’
After graduating from the University of Otago with a bachelor’s degree in home science, then teaching at the university and enjoying a bit of travel, Alison Mary Cameron married Dr Jim Roxburgh and the couple moved to Nelson.
From that base at the top of the South Island, she turned her keen mind and trademark wry wit to a plethora of organisations at local, national and international levels.
Education was also a major focus, and in 1975 she was appointed to the then allmale board of the Nelson Polytechnic, which later became NMIT.
Former NMIT chief executive Dr John Cretney says there was some opposition at the time to having a woman on the board, though one member conceded: ‘‘I expect we could dig up a good woman.’’
After her first board meeting, Roxburgh responded by saying her fellow members were ‘‘a very pleasant group of gentlemen’’.
From there, she became a respected and influential board member and was appointed as the first chairwoman in 1987. During her three-year tenure in the top role, the polytechnic underwent major reforms and expansion, which included the establishment of childcare facilities and campuses in Marlborough, Richmond and Motueka.
Roxburgh was also well regarded at a national level, through the Association of Polytechnics in New Zealand. She was actively involved in the ‘‘Learning for Life’’ reforms, and also served as national president.
She was also instrumental via the Nelson Federation of Graduate Women Trust in a thriving enterprise hiring out academic regalia to raise money for women’s education, including scholarships. Her list of other involvements is vast, including the Suter Gallery Trust, the City of Nelson Civic Trust, the Nelson City Luncheon Club and the Consumer Council.
In 2003, Roxburgh became a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to women’s affairs and the community. She later accepted redesignation as a Dame
Companion of the order. Roxburgh, who was also a JP, was earlier made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to women’s affairs, and was appointed to the Queen’s Service Order for public services.
Good friend Mary Gavin says she phoned to congratulate Roxburgh on receiving one of her honours and apologised in case she was interrupting celebrations.
‘‘She was in fact cleaning out her deep freeze to make room for some seasonal fruit, which ‘could not go to waste’,’’
Gavin says. ‘‘Whatever the dignity of the situation, Alison was also very practical and was the embodiment of thrift and sustainability.’’
Her son says she enjoyed hearing the success stories of other women, and was proud to see Jacinda Ardern become prime minister at such a young age. ‘‘She loved to see young women picking up the torch and carrying on.’’
Many women have spoken of the encouragement and mentoring Roxburgh provided. Last year Roxburgh backed Nelson city councillor Gaile Noonan’s reelection as her first nominator.
‘‘She was a lovely, encouraging person,’’ she says. ‘‘She just cared about people; she was one of those real people.
‘‘I admired her greatly. I had a personal relationship with her; I was lucky.’’
Another who learnt much from Roxburgh is former Nelson branch president of the National Council of Women Pip Jamieson.
‘‘Alison was my role model and I often try to conduct myself with the grace and poise she always held,’’ Jamieson says. ‘‘We shared many laughs, too.’’
Her last visit with Roxburgh was on Christmas morning in the care centre of a Nelson retirement village. ‘‘I went to say Merry Christmas, only to find two of her other friends were sneaking in contraband alcohol, sandwiches and Christmas pies – all hidden in their walkers.
‘‘We had a delightful wee morning party and, as always, Alison thanked me for visiting with her generous smile.’’
Roxburgh is survived by Gus and granddaughters Cameron and Jamie. –By Cherie Sivignon