Helen Hoy will be the new Executive Officer for the Brass Band Association, following the retirement of the current General Manager, David Dobson. She will move to Wellington in early April to take up her appointment.
Helen is a member of the National Management Committee of BBANZ but will relinquish her role on this committee following her appointment.
Following the 2012 AGM Helen was re-elected to the National Management Committee, having first served for three years from 2002 during which time she was the Assistant Manager of the 2002/03 National Youth bands. She was appointed to be the National Contest Manager, a role she held until 2008.
Helen has two teen-aged children. Georgia plays baritone for Woolston Brass and trombone for many groups at Burnside High School. Cameron is at University and plays guitar in an Indie Post Punk band called Villain. After a three year break from being actively involved in banding (other than taking children to band practices etc) she returned last year to an administration role with Woolston Brass as their marketing manager.
While known mostly for her administration work Helen has also been a brass player having followed in the footsteps of her father (Bob Lee) and grandfather (Bob Lee senior.) Having started as a nine-year-old in the Matamata Band she has also played for Timaru, Addington, Woolston Junior and Sunnybank Brass (Brisbane).
BBANZ President, Evan Sayer said of Helen’s appointment: “The Brass Band Association is fortunate to have found someone of Helen’s experience and skill to take on the role of Executive Officer, which includes management and supervision of National Contests”.