Columba inducts pair in hall of fame

Pioneer ecotourism and corporate marketing and communications are the respective backgrounds of this year's two Columba College laureates inducted into its Business Hall of Fame.

Mary Sutherland, a pupil from 1961-64, initially trained and worked as a teacher before turning her hand to the fledgling ecotourism market, opening the Catlins Wildlife Trackers in 1990.

She and husband Fergus run personalised eco-tours from their holiday home in Papatowai, offering self-guided tours, volunteer work breaks, and accommodation in an eco-friendly cottage or homestead.

The couple's knowledge of the area, conservation values and customer service has resulted in wider recognition, including a Qualmark Enviro-Gold award, one of the first received in the Otago Southland area.

Mrs Sutherland is joined by Susan Robinson-Derus, the pair being the latest addition of a total 11 business laureates celebrated since 2007 by Columba.

Ms Robinson-Derus, a pupil from 1966-72, has worked in marketing and communications in Europe, Asia and North America during the past 30 years.

In New Zealand she had been involved in corporate affairs roles with Air New Zealand, including privatisation of the national carrier, external communications manager with Telecom, the NZ Kiwifruit Marketing Board and later Zespri, as well as public relations, producer relations and political lobbying.

Ms Robinson-Derus is a former chairwoman of the New Zealand branch of the International Association of Business Communicators and a Gold Quill Awards winner.

She is now director of Robinson-Derus and Associates Ltd, whose clients include listed companies and commercial clients, and consults on investor relations, financial reporting, capital-raising and brand strategies.