Media Release
13 August 2009

West Auckland Mourns the Loss of a Great Leader

Maureen Brooker was known for her impeccable style and wonderful laugh. The Te Atatu resident was widely regarded as a role model for women and devoted community leader for West Auckland with tremendous contributions to the greater Auckland region as a local body politician for nearly three decades.

Born and raised in Melbourne, Maureen was married to Henderson-based men’s wear store owner Victor Brooker and dedicated most of her life to local body politics, business, community palliative care, and sports in West Auckland. Her career encompassed a wide range of responsibilities from Waitemata County Councillor, elected member of the Auckland Harbour Board, Trustee and Chairperson of West Auckland Hospice, Trustee of the West Auckland Hospice Foundation, to representative for West Auckland and Deputy Chairperson of the Auckland Regional Council. In 2001 she was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit in recognition of her life-long selfless work for the country.

A former champion swimmer, Maureen believed she learnt to be a strong and confident leader during those disciplined years of swimming.

Life-long friend and colleague, Peter Robinson, remembers Maureen as a great mentor and public speaker, “She served the community very well in West Auckland. While she had strong views she always listened to everybody. We considered her to be a very good leader.”

Founder of West Auckland Hospice, Beverly Revell, said “Maureen had great input to palliative care in our community and Hospice. She was there from day one of West Auckland Hospice and generously gave many years of her time as trustee and chairperson of the organisation. In the early days of Hospice, Maureen helped with everything from fundraising, training of volunteers to furnishing the Hospice when it was on Woodford Avenue. She ensured the Hospice focused on the philosophy of homecare. She was absolutely wonderful.”

Maureen passed away on 10 August 2009 at North Shore Hospital after a long illness. The funeral service will take place at St Michaels, 425 Great North Road on Saturday 15 August 2009 at 2:00pm.

ENDS

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