Introduction

Susan Devoy and Paula Thompson share a voluble sense of humour and a deep desire to start a movement – women walking. If you can walk, you can get fit, get healthier, make friends, relieve stress and … have a laugh.
Step up Wonder Walkers.


Susan Devoy

Susan has not only been a world champion … she knows how to champion a cause. She has energy to burn (could be the Centrum) and she’s out to get women walking … talking and laughing.

Ranked No.1 in world squash continuously from 1983 until her retirement in 1992, Susan won eight British Open titles, four World Championships, and was NZ Sportsman of the Year in 1985 and NZ Sportswoman of the Year in 1985,1987 and 1988.

That’s the well known stuff. But she’s been a champion of walking too. In 1988 Susan walked the length of NZ to raise money for the muscular dystrophy charity. After that she became a Trustee of the Halberg Trust which she has now been involved with for 20 years.

Susan has an MBE, a CBE and was the youngest New Zealander since Sir Edmund Hillary to be knighted as a Dame Commander of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 1998.

She’s served on numerous committees and boards, appreciating the opportunity to make a contribution particularly at the coalface.

She was CEO of Sport Bay of Plenty from 2003 till 2007 and then took over the role as Chairperson, resigning last year to focus on Wonder Walkers.

Susan has been married to John for 21 years and they lead busy lives raisng four sons – Julian, Alex, Josh and Jamie.

Now she’s out to “talk the walk” with Wonder Walkers in partnership with Paula Thompson.


Paula Thompson

Walking and dogs go together for Paula.

Paula's background includes:

  • Lawyer
  • CEO –Tauranga District Council
  • Principal of "Taylor Thompson" consultancy (Paula's passion is in helping groups and organisations with strategic planning)
  • A former School Trustee
  • A former President of Tauranga Zonta
  • A former Board member of Creative Tauranga
  • The Chair and Trustee of Sport BOP
  • A member of BOP District Health Board and Chair of BOP Hospital Advisory Committee

She has also had a number of other roles in organisations within the not for profit sector including Tauranga SPCA.

Paula is currently Chair of the Bay Trust (BOP Community Trust) and is on the Board of Philanthropy NZ.

Along with the dogs, Paula shares her home with her partner, plus cats and goldfish.


Contributors - Word Witches

Before Wonder Walkers, another group of women brought infamy to the WW initials.

The Word Witches, who produce the Strides of Our Lives series, are a group of Tauranga women writers with varied backgrounds in journalism and communications.

Collectively, the fabulous five – Monique Balvert-O'Connor, Julie Chadwick, Angela Kell, Sandra Paterson and Sue Hoffart – have worked in television, daily news journalism, corporate communications and most of the major magazines found on supermarket shelves.

When they're not writing and raising families – 13 children between them – they're talking, taxi driving the aforementioned children around or sometimes endeavouring to step out for walks – with varying success. They all subscribe to the philosophy that says "if you can't talk while you're walking (or running), you're moving too fast".

They hope their family and friends don't recognise too many of their antics in the Strides stories.


Debra Quaadgras

Debra will be making sure everything is running smoothly behind the scenes of Wonder Walkers. She is the person you will be contacting for assistance with anything related to the website.

Debra believes New Zealand has so much to offer in the great outdoors with so many beautiful walks to enjoy. She has an extensive background in secretarial / administration work and gets a lot of satisfaction from helping others.

Debra is excited to be part of Wonder Walkers and help create a community for women where fun and walking go hand in hand.


Kim Audas

There are many excellent walks around New Zealand that Kim has enjoyed, including the Tongariro Crossing.

Kim, our Wonder Walkers’ researcher, has over 20 years’ experience in the library industry, but has also spent plenty of time in the outdoors.

Kim's passion for walking and hiking, along with her research skills, come together beautifully with Wonder Walkers, letting her help others to enjoy this country’s spectacular open spaces.

Acknowledgements

Wonder Walkers would like to thank Martine Hawkins for providing the voice and lyrics to the song Serenity (that you can listen to in the Video Gallery) and the Strides Jingle. Also thanks to Anthony Coulter who provided the instrumentals to these songs.