Committee Information

Melissa Benge – President 

Melissa Benge is a business owner and director in First Avenue Property Limited, a Christchurch Real Estate Sales and Property Management business, and she has enjoyed working in the property industry since 2005. A graduate from Massey University with a Bachelor of Technology and a Diploma in Business Administration her career has spanned the manufacturing, information technology and the property industries. She currently serves as an active member of the Zonta Club of Christchurch-Canterbury, the Real Estate Institute of NZ and Canterbury Jockey Club. Melissa likes to focus any leisure opportunities on time with family and friends, yoga, walking, music and a dabble in thoroughbred horse racing.

 

 

James Lill- Vice President

My name is James Lill;  I started a residential building business 20 years ago based in Christchurch where I run a medium size group housing company where we specialize in designing and building homes to order for Cantabrians.  I’ve worked with two other building companies prior and studied Valuation at Lincoln (College)University.

I was born and raised in Christchurch.  Educated at Christ’s College where I was taught the values of  respecting others and maintaining traditions.

I’ve been a member of The Canterbury Club since 2008 and was delighted in becoming a member of the committee May 2019 where I am very excited about contributing to the planning and guidance of the club now and in the future.  Our team on the committee are focused on maintaining high standards in all respects, and setting plans in place for up and coming events such as the 150 year celebrations and the continually susses of the Club in the future.

I enjoy snow ski-ing, to old now to water ski so love fishing, playing tennis, gardening, catching up with friends and enjoying our beautiful New Zealand wines.

I enjoy meeting my fellow members and invite them to feel welcome to introduce themselves to me. 

 

 

 

Andrew Hopping

Past pupil of St Andrews College and gradutate of the University of Canterbury Commerce Faculty.  After four years overseas in London working in music television he returned to New Zealand.  Andrew has been a member since 2001 and active member of the committee since 2006.  Business interests revolve around the furniture and furnishing industry with his companies Montreux Furniture and Designmade.  Passionate about all sports and currently a board member of The Elmwood Club development. His wife Andrea also enjoys membership of The Canterbury Club, especially the gym and his two sons James and Thomas are always keen on any applicable club functions.

 

 

Sarah Manning

Sarah is a lawyer and a partner at Mortlock McCormack Law. She specialises in property and insurance matters, and has a wide range of experience. Sarah has worked in large firms in New Zealand, Edinburgh and London during the course of her legal career, and she is qualified to practice law in the UK as well as in New Zealand.

Sarah is an executive member of the Property Council South Island Branch, and she is also a committee member of the Canterbury A & P Association.

 

 

 

Matthew Glubb

Matthew Joseph Glubb born 1948 Christchurch, New Zealand. 

Educated St Bede’s College, University of Canterbury, graduated B.Com. 1980 elected to Christchurch City Council.

Member of the Canterbury Club since 1977. Retired, lives in Harewood and maintains a 5 acre garden. 

Active interests: art, books, gardening, music, travel

Married to Louise, four adult sons: James, George, Thomas & Edward.

 

 

 

 

Andrew Hawkes

I was born and raised in Christchurch and attended Christchurch Boys’ High School and Lincoln University, completing a Bachelor of Commerce and Management (Marketing) and Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting and Finance.

I am a Chartered Accountant and advisor to private businesses, individuals and stakeholders. Having also lived and worked abroad in the UK/Europe and the U.S, my current role focuses primarily as a trusted advisor to private business, charitable organisations, individuals, their funders and stakeholders.

I am in my second year on the committee. I bring strategic planning and financial skills to the committee and wider governance experience through my role on advisory boards for large private business and the St Margaret’s College Trust Board where I also hold the role as Chair of the Finance Committee.

I am married to Sarah who is a practicing GP, and we have three primary aged school children, Olivia, Harry and Max. As a keen mountain biker I am passionate about the environment and spend many weekends up in the high country at Lake Clearwater with my family.

Through many years of involvement playing and coaching hockey, I greatly appreciate the values and personal relationships that playing a team sport helps to develop and I enjoy bringing these values to the club as an active member of the club, committee and health club.

 

 

 

Sam MacDonald

Sam works in Christchurch as a Chartered Accountant and currently serves as a Christchurch City Councillor. An avid user of the Club, Sam sees his role on the Committee as promoting the Club to newer members in order to ensure the Club has an enduring legacy in our City

 

 

 

Paul Williams

My name is Paul Williams and I joined the Canterbury Club in 1987. Together with my wife Sue, I have enjoyed the facilities of the Club on a regular basis. We especially enjoy the convivial and relaxed ambience throughout the Club and the friendliness of the staff and fellow members. We are very appreciative of the consistently high standards and originality of the cuisine in the restaurant and have enjoyed many successful Club and private functions.

I am a qualified quantity surveyor and an executive director of a major construction company. It was a pleasure for our company to be involved with the Club’s building programme after we were selected to complete various upgrades and strengthening projects both before and after the earthquakes.

I am particularly interested in the history and heritage of the Club and look forward to serving on the Committee and to utilising my experience in commerce, construction and property management, to ensure a positive and secure future for the Club.

As an enthusiastic member of the Club subgroup, the ‘Movers and Shakers’, I appreciate meeting other Members on a regular basis over lunch to listen to interesting speakers and the enjoyment of each other’s company.