STELLAR TRUST
Alister was a founding Trustee of the Stellar Trust when The Stellar Trust was formed in 2008, to raise awareness and educate young people and the community at large about the perils of the dreadful scourge of methamphetamine (P) in NZ. NZ consumes more P per head of population than any other country in the world. He was instrumental in attracting Peter Boshier to be the Trust's Patron (at that time Peter was the Principal Family Court Judge), and Burton Shipley to be Chairman. Alister became Deputy Chairman early on and remains in that position.
The Trust has also built up a formidable Advisory Board including, Simon Moore (Crown Prosecutor), Detective Inspector Bruce Good, The Very Rev Ross Bay, Bishop of Auckland, John Graham, a respected educationalist and Bill Francis from broadcasting. Paul Holmes became the Trust's Ambassador until his sad passing in early 2013.
Stellar Trust was launched at a function in the Great Hall at Parliament, and they believe they have been instrumental in raising the profile of the issue with the Prime Minister and his colleagues and been able to influence the need for government action through policy in this field.
For over two years now the Trust has funded presentations in schools using Pat Buckley from Amped For Life, relating to the importance of young people making good decisions on many aspects of their lives with a real focus on drugs and in particular methamphetamine. From the text messages received from the kids after these presentations they know they are hitting the mark, and sadly the messages confirm there are some very troubled young people whom need greater help and support.
In 2013 the Trust is rolling out a nationwide public awareness campaign which will really seek to educate everyone on the issue although raising money to fund this has been unbelievably difficult.