Farewell but not Goodbye

RJAFTA Trustees are volunteers who bring essential skills and expertise to efficiently run our board. We have been incredibly fortunate to have had the support of two such Trustees, Maureen de la Harpe and Annika Moses, who have decided to step down and pursue other endeavors.

Maureen de la Harpe has been a Trustee since 1999. A local author and former journalist, she moved to Australia from Zimbabwe in the 1980s, following her younger sister, Trea Wiltshire, who has been in Australia since the 1970s. An accomplished wordsmith, Maureen has written two novels set in Zimbabwe, showcasing her deep connection to her homeland. Her most recent book, "Dinner at the Cathay," is a captivating family memoir about living in Shanghai. Maureen spent several of her chldhood years there, including during the Japanese occupation, a period reminiscent of the novel and film "Empire of the Sun." Maureen was responsible for Trust PR & publicity, a role she relinquished in early 2020 so that she could concentrate her efforts on completing her last novel. Known for her thoroughness and conscientious approach, Maureen remains a Life Friend of the Trust, maintaining a keen interest in its activities.

Annika Moses, a talented musician and composer, won the Robert Juniper Award for the Arts in 2016 and has been a Trustee since 2018. Due to her work often taking her interstate or to remote parts of WA, her involvement in the Trust has been limited in the past two years. Nonetheless, her contributions, when she is able to make them, have always been valuable. Annika's musical career is notable for its depth and breadth, and her commitment to both the environment and social justice can be discovered through her performances and recordings. Visit Annika’s website for inspiration.

These two individuals exemplify the diverse and talented individuals who comprise the Trust, and we are deeply grateful for Maureen’s and Annika’s invaluable contributions and wish them every success in their future ventures.