Soroptimist Anne Farrington’s lifelong commitment and service to women is acknowledged in her appointment as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in the NZ Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Anne’s Soroptimist work includes holding positions at local, region, national, federation and international levels. Anne was a charter member of Soroptimist International of North Shore, a club that has given 40 years of service. Anne continues to make an enormous and positive contribution to its projects. Members of SI North Shore, New Zealand express their delight at the recognition given to Anne by saying: “Anne is a highly valued and respected member of our SI North Shore club. She enjoys active participation in all our club activities and has always worked strenuously to further the goals and aims of Soroptimism. When congratulated on her recent Queen’s Award on a job well done she remarked “Oh. I haven’t finished yet”.
Anne brings to the club a wealth of wisdom, maturity and common sense, and can calmly and quietly debate and clarify difficult points of discussion. Her high accounting skills and in-depth knowledge of our international Soroptimist structure make her an invaluable club member. She is an achiever, but remains humble and a willing listener to other points of view. Her generous hospitality includes frequent hosting of club meetings in her home and extends to accommodating visiting International Soroptimists, New Zealand Soroptimists and Gift of Friendship recipients. Anne’s keen sense of humour makes her fun to travel with and she unreservedly supports and encourages club members in advancing their role to take up regional and federation positions. We believe every club should have an “Anne”!
Anne, pictured above with her Soroptimist badges, says: “The award was a big surprise to me, but accepted in the belief that it also reflects on our Soroptimist International organisation”.
Anne has held many leadership positions within her club including President, Treasurer, Executive Committee member and Convenor of Committees between 1975- 2008, and club delegate at Region Meetings and AGM’s between 2003-2007. Her service to her club was honoured in 2014 when she was appointed a Life Member.
Her roles within the Region of SI New Zealand North include President, 1985 -1986; Treasurer Maori Scholarship Trust 1983; Federation Councillor, 1988-1990; Programme/UN Liaison from 1998-2002; Region Delegate at Board Meeting 2007, and Region Delegate at New Zealand Conference 1975-1984. Her service to her region was recognised in 2007 when she was made an Hon. Life Member of SI New Zealand North.
At national level, Anne’s work includes that of Regional co-Trustee, 1986 of the Betty Loughhead Soroptimist Scholarship Trust. The trust provides scholarships for second chance education for mature New Zealand women. For her Federation SISWP, Anne was Treasurer, 1990, 1992; Assistant Treasurer 1997-1992, 1998-2001; and Councillor 1988-1990.
Anne’s active service at the international level included that of Treasurer – 1993-1995, and 2001-2003. She was the 2007 Region Delegate at Board Meeting prior to Glasgow Convention. In this role she was part of the international team that chose the Soroptimist International programme focus for four years.
SI President Yvonne Simpson says: “The summary of Anne’s service is impressive. What is not truly reflected here is Anne’s humility and her gentle and sincere personality. Her desire was to get the task done. She never looked for glory or to be in limelight. Her dedication to assist others, to share her financial skills and just get on with whatever was necessary without fuss is inspirational. and it is wonderful to see her selfless dedication acknowledged”.