The Friends of Randell Cottage support the work of the Randell Cottage Writers Trust. We help with the needs of the resident writers, carry out fundraising for maintenance and furnishings, promote upcoming events like the annual Open Day and writers’ talks, and build community support for the work of the Trust by maintaining links with similar groups in the arts, literary and local communities.
Around Open Day (usually held in conjunction with Wellington Heritage Week in late October or early November), you’ll find many of us in the Cottage gardens helping our part-time gardener prepare for this special annual event. And on the day, Friends join in guiding and hosting visitors to the Cottage. Open Day is a wonderful chance for the public and members to visit this historic home, learn about its past and discover more about the literary magic going on right under our noses!
Join the Friends
Read our 2020 Annual Report.
See our founding Rules.
Committee
President

Treasurer

Secretary



Sian Robyns is a Wellington-based translator and writer with a background in journalism and political and strategic communications. She is currently a PhD candidate in Literary Translation Studies at Te Herenga Waka / Victoria University of Wellington. Her short stories have been published in the e-journal Headland. A Tale of Love. Sian’s translation of Conte de l’amour bifrons by Linda Lê was published by Mākaro Press in 2017.

Gillian Cameron is a founding trustee of the Randell Cottage Trust and former President of the NZ Poetry Society.
She has a lifelong love of literature and the arts. She enjoys writing, mostly essays and poetry. Born and raised in Tūranganui-a-Kiwa (Gisborne) she has lived many years in Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington) which is now also her ‘heart’ home.

Susan Stevens is a graduate of Te Herenga Waka / Victoria University BA. and Massey University MA Admin, worked as a teacher for many years in NZ, Canada, England and Australia. She held the position of Principal of St. Mary’s Diocesan School, Stratford, and was later in charge of graduate students at Teachers’ College at Victoria.
Susan volunteers at Samuel Marsden Collegiate as a reader/writer for special needs students.

Tim Gruar is a project professional by day and a freelance journalist and reviewer by night. He writes, reviews and photographs for music and theatre websites (including www.ambientlight.co.nz), contributes to The Huttzone on Wellington Access Radio and www.groovefm.co.nz.
He is actively involved in Wellington and Lower Hutt theatre – both on stage and behind the lighting desk. And he also runs and writes for the Groove Book Report, a website dedicated to local writers and reading.