The Timaru Herald
11 Mar 2025
Rachael Comer
Timaru’s Roselyn Fauth has been recognised for her contributions to the region’s arts, historical preservation and community development. Fauth was the winner of Woman of the Year award at the Aoraki Foundation’s Women’s Fund event at Sopheze on the Bay in Timaru on Saturday evening and was one of many there who highlighted the importance of whānau and having a village behind them.
The evening, which marked International Women’s Day, included guest speakers Timaru Muay Thai fighter Kaitlyn “Tornado” Tucker, who spoke of the support of those behind her, and former Silver Fern, high-performance netball coach and breast cancer survivor Margie Foster.
It was also a chance to recognise those women in the community who give so much of their time, with the work of fellow nominees Anna Leger, Kaitlyn Tucker, Sharleyne Diamond and Polly Rowe also shared on the evening.
For Fauth, being nominated felt “really weird and it took a bit to get my head around”.
“When I thought it through, I realised it was because I haven't contributed in isolation, there are so many people that worked together on the projects and helped to support and fund them,” she said.
She said reflecting on the stories she had learned about women, and what their lives would have been like over the past 160 years, she realised it was not that long ago that women were the property of men.
“They couldn't open a bank account, they couldn't vote,” she said.
“Even into the 1970s, it would have been bold to wear hippy clothes and challenge the societal norms of a life beyond the kids and kitchen.”
Fauth said women could now live the lives they chose.
“I’m so grateful to those who enabled, protected and inspired us to be who we choose to be. Laws protect us in employment, and from discrimination, and violence. But we can see that there is more work still to be done for women’s rights.”
Fauth’s key community contributions including WuHoo Timaru, a voluntary project with her husband Chris and father Geoff Cloake, which makes South Canterbury’s history and culture accessible and engaging.
She was also a member of the CPlay committee and involved in fundraising, grant applications, community consultation, and social media promotion to develop the $3 million award-winning playground.
A member of the Friends of Aigantighe Art Gallery, Fauth has also given more than 20 years of service to the group, including four years as president.
She is also a member of the Timaru Civic Trust, and the award’s statement presented at the award evening also says she empowers women, creates opportunities for female entrepreneurs and artists, and “advocates for inclusive initiatives, particularly for mothers and caregivers’’.
“Roselyn’s efforts have directly improved the social, cultural, and recreational fabric of South Canterbury,’’ the statement said.
In her acceptance speech, Fauth paid credit to her parents for their support and for inspiring her by demonstrating the profound impact one can have through dedication and service.
She also thanked her husband Chris and her two daughters, and shared stories of women who put the work in for future generations.
“As women today, we can live the lives we choose, thanks to those who enabled, protected, and inspired us,” she said.
“But there is still work to be done. Discrimination still exists, the gender pay gap remains, and unconscious biases persist. By sharing the stories of women, we can inspire us for further progress so as women we have the choice of how we want to live our lives.”
Fauth said she believed when people learnt about the past with their own lens “we can better understand where we have come from, who we are, and make better choices for the future’’.
“That’s why I am so passionate about helping people find free fun, making it meaningful through awareness, activities, and resources, to inspire future generations to be whoever they want to be.”