Wellington Museums Trust newsletter June 2004

PROFILE | Simon MarshWellington Museums Trust trusteeIn each issue of the newsletter, Kim Townley profiles one of ourtrustees. This time it’s the turn of Simon Marsh, who has been atrustee for four years.Capital ECivic SquareP 04 913 3720Simon started his working life as abio-chemist, more specifically amicrobiologist, filling the roles of tutorand researcher at Lincoln University aftercompleting his study. Simon co-authoreda number of research papers primarilyrelated to work on bacteria and virusescapable of surviving under thermophilic(very hot) conditions.While at Lincoln, Simon was responsiblefor turning around various poorlyperforming student business operations.A change of direction saw a move to thebroadcasting industry, working for RadioNew Zealand, walking the well-worn trackof new broadcasters by working in manyand varied of New Zealand’s towns. Onestint at Masterton, which he thoroughlyenjoyed, was a nice way to start his newcareer since that was where he first livedwhen arriving with his parents as a sevenyear old from the UK.Simon’s move to Wellington came almost20 years ago with his role of breakfastannouncer at Radio Windy.In 1991, he was one of the small groupof owners that launched More FM ontoWellington’s airwaves. Despite thewarnings of doom and financial ruin,More FM became New Zealand’s majorsuccess story in the radio industry. In1997, the More FM group of stations thathad developed around the country wassold to Canadian media company CanWest.Simon has always had a strong businessfocus within the radio industry. Thesedays his company provides advice onmarketing and media planning, oftenwith a radio direction. The majorityof his work is still with what is nowWellington’s leading radio group,Canwest-Radioworks Wellington.And why does he love Wellington?Simon answers: “weather”, with a slygrin. Along with the first, his answershad much in common with the majorityof us who have chosen to live inWellington. He loves the fact that thecity is so compact, that “we are all herewhere everything is going on in the cityinstead of being pushed out”.Also, “the magic that the harbour createsand the way in which the school youwent to is irrelevant”.Finally, “there is an enthusiasm andexuberance about Wellington and theregion that, while it knows it is not topdog, i.e. Auckland is Auckland andChristchurch gets the majority of tourists,it still produces quality and has a selfesteem which is healthier than both ofthe other major cities”.Simon enjoys working as a WellingtonMuseums Trust Board member as he feelsthe trust comprises a well-balanced group,each with individual strengths creatinga positive synergy. Board members areall totally biased towards Wellington andare committed to the Trust by what theycan offer, not for what they get out of it.City Gallery WellingtonCivic SquareP 04 801 3952Colonial Cottage Museum68 Nairn Street, Te AroP 04 384 9122Museum of Wellington City & SeaQueens WharfP 04 472 8904New Zealand Cricket MuseumBasin ReserveP 04 385 6602Wellington Cable Car MuseumKelburn Terminus of Cable CarP 04 475 3578Editorial contacts for the newsletter are:Kim Townley on 384 9122 orkim@colonialcottagemuseum.co.nz andAnn Cunninghame on 380 8000 ora.cunninghame@clear.net.nzThe Trust acknowledges the Wellington CityCouncil as its major funder