Mon 21 Nov 2011 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
Wayne Otter, pictured during the Burnett Centre's shift to College Hill in 2008. Departed manager Wayne Otter "is and always will be a part of the NZAF," according to the organisation from which he last week resigned. After eighteen years with the NZ AIDS Foundation Otter, a high-profile Foundation employee who has been experiencing health difficulties, finished up as Burnett Centre manager on Friday. "His retirement has been in the pipeline for a while," says the NZAF in response to a query from GayNZ.com. "Wayne has been unwell for some time and he made the difficult decision to retire last week. Given the difficult nature of the decision and his health, both Wayne and the NZAF agreed that he would finish early and his last day was Friday." "Wayne Otter's time with us and commitment to stopping HIV as well as supporting those living with HIV cannot be measured in words. He is leaving a legacy built from the excellent work he has done and from the passion he has shown. Wayne is and always will be a part of the NZAF. A suitable farewell will be organised in due course. There will be opportunities for the Wayne to do contract work for the NZAF in the future and that door has been left open," the NZAF says. Eamonn Smythe, NZAF Director Health Services, will be managing the NZAF Burnett Centre until early 2012. A new manager will be recruited in the future "but at this stage its too early to say what the recruitment process will be or what will be involved," according to the NZAF. You can discuss this New Zealand gay community news story in the GayNZ. com Forum.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 21st November 2011 - 7:13pm