About
Connecting Communities, Supporting Futures.
AshColl Foundation exists to connect the wider Ashburton College community and support the students who will shape its future.
We aim to bring together former students, staff, families and supporters, creating opportunities to reconnect, strengthen relationships and celebrate the achievements of the AshColl community. By building these connections, the Foundation helps maintain a meaningful relationship between Ashburton College, its alumni and the wider community.
At the same time, we support current and future Ashburton College students by helping create opportunities that enrich their education and enable them to thrive. Through the generosity, experience and involvement of our community, we want every student to have the chance to make the most of their time at AshColl and the opportunities that follow.
At the heart of the Foundation is a simple idea: the connection to AshColl does not have to end when someone leaves the College. By bringing our wider community together, we can celebrate our shared history while helping create a stronger future for the students who come next.
A proud history.
An exciting future.
AshColl Foundation’s story is closely connected to the history of Ashburton College itself.
Ashburton College was established in 1965 when Ashburton High School and Ashburton Technical School came together to form the College we know today. Since then, generations of students, staff and families have become part of the AshColl community.
-
In 2016, a group of community-minded locals established the Ashburton College Alumni Trust Board.
Many of those involved were former pupils themselves, united by a desire to celebrate the College’s history, strengthen connections between former students and support future generations of Ashburton College students.
The original Trust deed reflected a broad commitment to the AshColl community. Its objectives included providing motivation, inspiration and encouragement to students and staff, supporting education and cultural activities, bringing people with particular skills and experience into the College community, and providing services for present and past students and staff.
-
Over the years, the Trust Board created opportunities for former pupils and the wider community to reconnect.
These included concerts featuring talented former pupils, including Simon O’Neill, as well as a special reunion dinner. These occasions celebrated the people, achievements and shared experiences that form part of the wider AshColl story.
-
In 2022, funds received from the former Ashburton High School and Ashburton Technical School were used to establish the Ashburton College Alumni Trust Fund with the Advance Ashburton Community Foundation.
The Fund created an enduring way for the legacy of both schools to continue making a difference for the AshColl community.
-
At the beginning of 2026, the organisation entered a new chapter.
Additional Trustees joined the organisation, a three-year Business Plan was established and a renewed sense of purpose led to the creation of the AshColl Foundation.
The new name reflects a wider determination. While maintaining connections with former pupils remains an important part of the Foundation, our focus extends across the whole AshColl community.
Today, AshColl Foundation is focused on building lifelong connections while creating meaningful opportunities for present and future Ashburton College students.
Our name may be new, but our connection to the College and our commitment to its people remain at the heart of everything we do.
Our Trustees
Simon Coleman
Principal of Ashburton College and TrusteeSimon was appointed Principal of Ashburton College in 2024, following nine years as Principal of Geraldine High School. His diverse career spans graphic design, university teacher education, and secondary school leadership across Southland, Dunedin, and Canterbury.
A strong advocate for student career pathways, Simon is part of the Minister of Education’s National Curriculum Advisory Group. As Principal, he is dedicated to strengthening relationships with Ashburton College former pupils to enrich opportunities and pathways for current students, connecting past and future generations of the College community.
Janine Holland
TrusteeJanine grew up in Ashburton and went through College during the 1980s. After Canterbury University and communication roles around the country, she returned to the district two decades ago and raised her sons in Methven with husband Hamish. Janine works for Mid Canterbury Rural Support Trust and sits on the boards for Ahu Community Trust, EA Networks and the Lynn Woodworking Museum.
Mary Ross
Trustee and ChairA first day pupil of Ashburton College in 1965, Mary has had the Ashburton District at heart having married into a local generational farming family. In 2005 she completed a master’s degree in health sciences from Otago University. Her career has included being Director of Nursing & Clinical Services for the Ashburton & Rural Health Services of the Canterbury DHB plus being Chair of Eastfield Health, Advance Ashburton and the Rural Health Academic Centre Steering Group (in collaboration with Otago University), as well as being a trustee of the Mackenzie Charitable Foundation. Mary believes that education, along with optimal health, are essential underpinnings for individual and community wellbeing.
Shirley Falloon
TrusteeShirley joined the AshColl Alumni Board in 2018 in the role of Facebook editor, secretary and events co-ordinator. Under the new constitution, Shirley still regards her role as an important point of contact between former students, teachers, Board of Trustees, staff and indeed all our supporters past and present of the College. She really encourages former pupils to visit our new website, join our Facebook and register their interest in the revitalized Foundation. In this way the Foundation can begin to build on the great traditions that are evident in other similar institutions.
Melissa O’Grady
TrusteeHaving moved to Ashburton at the age of 5 I have grown up within the community and attending school within the district.
After graduating from Ashburton College in 2017 I attended the University of Canterbury where I obtained a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Law with honours.
I have now moved back to the Ashburton district where I reside with my husband and animals and work at Argyle Welsh Finnigan Limited. Outside of work and my time on the board I enjoy exercising, reading, and spending time with friends and family.
Matt Clough
TrusteeMatt Clough attended Ashburton College from 2014 to 2018, serving as Deputy Head Boy in his final year.
A former international athlete, Matt represented New Zealand on seven occasions, earning five World Championship medals, including one gold.
Matt is Strategy Director at Christchurch-based creative and marketing agency A&M, and Co-Founder and CMO of technology company Rool Social, bringing experience in business strategy, marketing and entrepreneurship.
With a strong personal connection to Ashburton College, Matt is committed to giving back through the Foundation, supporting its long-term objectives and creating opportunities for future generations of students.
Toni Wilson
Finance SecretaryBorn and raised in Mid Canterbury, Toni lives with her partner, Alistair, and their much-loved (and very spoilt) golden retriever, Lily. Toni spent 22 years in Australia where she worked in banking, accountancy, and in administration roles within the mining and agricultural industries. Returning to Ashburton in 2010, Toni has focused on administration and finance roles within the agricultural sector. In the past few years, Toni has unlocked a passion for travel in the USA and Canada, and she is currently planning her next adventure.
Peter Gluyas
TrusteePeter’s education spanned both Ashburton College (1970-1974) and Otago University from which he gained a B.Com. Post university his career began initially with the Ford Motor Company and then since 1987 as Managing Director of the Gluyas Motor Group, based in Ashburton.
Along with multiple directorships and leadership roles within the NZ motor industry, in 2016 Peter was one of the foundation trustees and Chair of the Ashburton College Alumni Trust. When not involved with all things motor, his accomplishments include sailing to Antarctica in 2005, and since 2013 being very active, along with his family, in the Akaroa Yacht Club.
Alister Argyle
TrusteeAlister attended Ashburton College from 1967 – 1971. He then studied Law at Canterbury University and graduated with LL.B (Hons) in 1976. He has practiced law, mainly inAshburton, and has been involved in a number of Charities in the Ashburton Community.
In conjunction with Peter Gluyas and Alister Lilley, Alister was involved in the formation of what was then called Ashburton College Alumni Charitable Trust and is now AshColl Foundation.
Alister was awarded a King’s Service Medal in 2025 in recognition of his services to the Community.
Mark Kennedy
TrusteeMark joined the original AshColl Alumni Charitable Trust in 2016 after completing 6-years on
the Board of trustees for Ashburton College, where his 2 adult children attended through to Year 13. Mark
is co-owner of local business DPi . He has a strong desire to see Ashburton College succeed into the future. He believes the new and invigorated AshColl Foundation will go from strength to strength in the coming years, providing ongoing connections to former pupils, staff and families, plus financial support to Ashburton College where needed.
Working together for AshColl
The Foundation is built around connection — between generations, between the College and its wider community, and between the opportunities of today and the possibilities of tomorrow.
By bringing people together around a shared connection to Ashburton College, we aim to celebrate our history, strengthen our community and support the students who will shape its future.