Passing of a Grey Power superstar
The recent passing of Grey Power national secretary, Jo Millar has left both the Board and associations mourning the loss of a tireless advocate for the well-being and care of seniors across New Zealand.
National president, Gayle Chambers says Jo worked hard for the Board and also for her own association, Zone 7 plus many advisory groups.
“Married to Don and the mother of three children, she has left a huge gap in the lives of family, friends and work colleagues,” Mrs Chambers says.
“The Board will miss her knowledge, experience and commitment to the causes Grey Power supports. I will miss her expertise, professionalism and her friendship.”
As Federation secretary, chair of Grey Power Otago and national spokesperson on health issues, Jo was a formidable and strong advocate for Grey Power membership at large.
Her funeral service in late July was attended by Health NZ representatives, Dunedin city councillors, Grey Power members and many others.
Official speakers included Grey Power national president Gayle Chambers; former national president and life member, Terry King; Dunedin Mayor, Jules Radich; Ingrid Leary, Labour Spokesperson for Seniors, and family members.
Being a member of Zone 7, Terry worked closely with Jo for 20 years from the time she became Chair of Grey Power Otago through to being elected to the Federation Board. He said she had a remarkable work ethic and had served on the:
ACC Older Persons Advisory Group, Director General of Health Reference Group for Care Workers, and the Joint ACC/MOH Project Group. She was also nominated onto the Pressure Injury Prevention panel.
In addition, Jo was active as a consumer representative on the following Otago committees:
- Community Health Council – Outpatients Clinic
- Southern DHB – Clinical Leadership Group
- Health Quality Safety Commission
- Te Whata Ora Southern – Care Planning Committee
She also liaised at a national level with the Chemist Guild, the Royal College of GP’s and Pharmac.
Grey Power and health advocacy work aside, Jo had, in the past, been a teletype setter/operator at the New Zealand Herald and also worked for Air New Zealand where, over 14 years, she filled a variety of roles.
During her working life she had extensive experience in public speaking and debating; she was an associate of the Trinity College of London (Speech).
In April this year, the Otago Daily Times devoted a full page to Jo, including eight photos. It covered 20 years of her advocating for the Dunedin community. Terry [King] says this was a mighty tribute to an individual, by one of the country’s major daily newspapers.
“There is no question in my mind, that Jo has left her mark not only on Grey Power but on the Dunedin community to which she was heavily committed.”
Former Grey Power national president, Jan Pentecost added that Grey Power was Jo’s life.
“Whether at the Local Government or Parliamentary level, when Jo took on a cause she would get stuck in and lobby for members with emotion and passion. She was a hard worker and will be greatly missed.”
