While it is well known locally that Mrs Simmonds’ youngest child Briony has Down Syndrome, perhaps less well known is that Mrs Simmonds’ eldest sibling had an intellectual disability, the origin of what has been a life-long interest in the sector. A 30-year career at the Southern Institute of Technology, 23 years of which were in charge, gave Mrs Simmonds a regional and at times a national profile. Those challenges were a motivation to leave the security of SIT and set sail on the choppy waters of politics, Mrs Simmonds said. Mrs Simmonds also had some high-achievers in her family — three aunts who played hockey for New Zealand, two of whom captained their country. Mr Mooney is a former Army reservist, while Mrs Simmonds was a Territorial soldier for many years.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 02, 2021 15:33 UTC