About Us
The Pacific Leprosy Foundation was established by Patrick Twomey in 1939 following many years of fundraising on behalf of the leprosy patients who inhabited Makogai Island in the Fijian Group. There they were cared for by the smsm Sisters until the leprosarium closed in the 1960s. Remaining patients were moved to the Patrick Twomey Memorial hospital in Suva, many of them choosing to make the hospital their home, rather than rejoin their own families and communities. The last of these residential patients died in October 2014.
Patrick Twomey was well known throughout New Zealand as "The Leper Man" and his vision of a leprosy-free Pacific remains as the mission of the Pacific Leprosy Foundation to this day. The Pacific Leprosy Foundation is the only charity which works with leprosy sufferers and their families in New Zealand and the South Pacific. |
PATRON
Governor-General of New Zealand
His Excellency Lieutenant General The Right Honourable Sir Jerry Mateparae, GNZM, QSO
VICE PATRON
Mrs Margaret Twomey, Australian High Commissioner, Republic of Fiji
CHAIRMAN
Mr Richard Gray
TREASURER
Mr Andrew Tomlin
BOARD MEMBERS
Prof Stephen Chambers
Ms Marilyn Eales
Dr Graham Watson
Mr Brian Shackel
Mr Gilbert Rose
Mrs Glenyse Hargraves
Dr Brian McMahon
STAFF
General Manager - Mrs Jill Tomlinson - [email protected]
Relations Manager - Mrs Lala Gittoes - [email protected]
Donor Liaison Officer - Mrs Jan Sheppard - [email protected]
Office Assistant - Mrs Claire McBeth - [email protected]
Governor-General of New Zealand
His Excellency Lieutenant General The Right Honourable Sir Jerry Mateparae, GNZM, QSO
VICE PATRON
Mrs Margaret Twomey, Australian High Commissioner, Republic of Fiji
CHAIRMAN
Mr Richard Gray
TREASURER
Mr Andrew Tomlin
BOARD MEMBERS
Prof Stephen Chambers
Ms Marilyn Eales
Dr Graham Watson
Mr Brian Shackel
Mr Gilbert Rose
Mrs Glenyse Hargraves
Dr Brian McMahon
STAFF
General Manager - Mrs Jill Tomlinson - [email protected]
Relations Manager - Mrs Lala Gittoes - [email protected]
Donor Liaison Officer - Mrs Jan Sheppard - [email protected]
Office Assistant - Mrs Claire McBeth - [email protected]