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Richard Sell | Kirsty Morton |
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Toni Weir | John Vorstermans | Susan Kaschula |
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Paul Henderson | Melanie Closs | Helen Sussmilch |
Vasanta House - National Society Headquarters in Auckland
The National Centre.
The Theosophical Society in New Zealand is a Society of the International Theosophical Society founded in New York in 1875, with its international headquarters at Adyar, Chennai (Madras), India. The New Zealand society has its national centre in Auckland, New Zealand, on a beautiful estate on the side of Mount St John. Vasanta House is the administrative headquarters of the Theosophical Society in New Zealand, but it is also a place where members and the public may participate in on-site events, workshops, retreats, lectures, and seminars on a wide variety of spiritual topics. It is a busy centre and a beautiful place, providing a focal point for the energies and efforts of members throughout the New Zealand Society.
The National Centre is also a symbol of the aspiration and the commitment that brought it into being and that continue to sustain it as a place of wise inspiration, strength, and beauty.
The staff at the National Centre consists of approximately eight employees who carry on the work of the national centre, all of whom are dedicated to the unique work of the Theosophical Society in New Zealand.
Executive and Board
History
The birth of Theosophy in New Zealand took place when Augustine Les Edgar King became the first New Zealand member, having joined when on a visit to London. His Diploma is dated 3rd April 1879 and on his return to New Zealand he became the first member of the Society in the Southern Hemisphere. Mr Thomas G de Remzy of Dunedin joined in January 1883 and at the end of that year Mr & Mrs James Cox became members in Auckland. Mr E.T. Sturdy whom Col. Olcott referred to as the “Father of Theosophy in New Zealand”, joined the Society in 1885 while living at Woodville in Hawkes Bay. After travelling overseas and meeting Col. Olcott, H.P. Blavatsky and W.Q. Judge he returned to New Zealand and settled in Wellington. Gathering a group of students around him he started the Wellington Lodge which was chartered in 1888. Unfortunately this, the first lodge in New Zealand, ceased to exist when Mr Sturdy returned to England, where he became a student in H.P.B.’s “inner group."
The New Zealand Section received its Charter on 7 April 1896 signed by Henry Steel Olcott, the president-founder of the Theosophical Society. The branches at that time were, Auckland, Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Pahiatua, Woodville and Waitemata. Miss Lilian Edger MA, was appointed General Secretary, to carry out the preliminary business of the organisation.
TSNZ past Presidents
2015 - 2023 John Vorstermans
2012 – 2015 Sandy Ravelli
2009 - 2012 Warwick Keys
2002 – 2009 John Vorstermans
2000 – 2002 Arthur Goodall
1996 – 2000 Gavin F Laurie
1993 – 1996 Hugh Dixon
1988- 1993 Bill Johnstone
1985 – 1988 Jack Patterson
1984 - 1985 Conrad Jamieson
1979 - 1984 Mavis J Hardy
1976 - 1979 Neill M Edgar
1966 - 1976 Brian Dunningham
1963 - 1966 Bertha H Darroch
1961 - 1963 S G Nicholls
1957 - 1961 Miss Clarice E Gregory
1956 - 1957 Sandra Chase (Mrs Geoffrey Hodson)
1953 - 1956 Brian Dunningham
1939 - 1953 Miss Emma Hunt
1925 - 1939 Mr William Crawford
1918 – 1925 Mr J Ross Thomson
1897 - 1918 Dr C W Sanders
1896 - 1897 Lilian Edger
Vasanta School
The New Zealand Section created a vision for a Vasanta Centre in 1916, which was established in Epsom, Auckland and on 19th February 1919, ‘Vasanta Preparatory School’ was officially opened with 26 scholars and 11 boarders. Mr Butler, the first Acting Principal of the school, offered his services for free for the first year. Boarding accommodation was in the house which is now our national headquarters known as ‘Vasanta House’. Vasanta is an Indian rendition of Dr Annie Besant’s surname. The history of the School can be viewed here.
Vasanta Garden School 100 years ago
The School which became known as the Vasanta Garden School, however after 43 years of operation it was decided to close the School at the end of the first term 1959, following the resignation of the Principal because of ill-health. At this time the property was handed over to The Theosophical Society in New Zealand Inc. where the National Section Headquarters was established.