The Mount Newton
Centre Society
Mount Newton Centre Society is a registered non-profit organization, guided by a volunteer Board of Directors. Since 1978, the Mount Newton Centre’s programs and services have been designed, developed and delivered by the Mount Newton Centre Society to complement existing community programs.
Alex Lonergan
Ruth Pozer
Ruth is a retired Nurse (BScN) with experience spanning 40 years. Her practice began in the ER, then Mental Health, Public Health, Home Care Nursing and Community Case Management.
She is a single Mother of two sons, and feels blessed to have them launched and yet remain a big part of her life.
Ruth moved to Sidney five years ago and loves her new community. The smaller town atmosphere and the beauty of the surroundings drew her to this area.
She is a member of the Sidney by the Sea Rotary Club, the Seaside Book Club, and has assisted at the Lion’s Food Bank. She has past experience being a Board Member of the Victoria Symphony Society and the Church of Truth.
Her experience in the community has taught her the importance of programs like the Mount Newton Centre’s. This vital and successful program supports our elderly population with stimulation, socialization, equipment rental, bathing and more. Support for caregivers is paramount for the functioning of a healthy community. She has observed that kindness and respect is shown to staff as well as clients and community members. Ruth is proud and excited to serve her community as a Board Member of the Mount Newton Centre Society.
Wil Clark
Wil is a retired Chartered Professional Accountant who spent the bulk of his career working in local government. He was born and raised on the Saanich Peninsula and joined the MNC board in 2020.
His previous volunteer experiences include serving as treasurer on the board of Silver Threads/Meals On Wheels, as well as chairing the Strata Corporation for the Shoal Centre in Sidney.
Wil’s parents both used the services of Mount Newton Centre so he appreciates the opportunity to give back to the society.
Dan Mercer
Most of Dan’s career was working in law enforcement with the Victoria Police Department until retiring in 2001. Since then he has been a contract instructor with the British Columbia Justice Institute. For six years he taught a forestry based course to Ministry of Forests personnel throughout the province. He has also been a senior motorcycle riding instructor with the Vancouver Island Safety Council.
Dan operates a small renovation/ handyman business on the Saanich Peninsula. He has been an active Rotarian for years, representing Greater Victoria Clubs on the Rotary District Council, and he is currently a member of the Rotary Club of Sidney By the Sea.
Dan and his wife Susan have three children and eight grandchildren, and they both enjoy world travel when conditions allow.
Paddy Rowland-Hyde
Paddy’s interest in the Mount Newton Centre Society dates back to the late 1970s when she sat on the original planning committee.
At the time, she had recently moved to the Peninsula from her home town of Edmonton, Alberta. She was educated across Canada, Britain and India and enjoyed a career in nursing for 40 years.
She was married for 30 years to the late Dr. Harry Hyde and together they had a blended family of eight children and seven grandchildren. Together they were proud supporters of many charitable causes in the Greater Victoria community. Paddy recently retired from a 40 year career in nursing most recently working as a Community Mental Health nurse in the adult programs. She brings experience in medicine, small business, community involvement and fundraising. She hopes to support the Mount Newton Centre in the wonderful service they provide.
Dodie Eastaugh
Mary Grant
Having moved to Saanichton Village from Victoria 10 years ago, Mary, and her daughter Susan, enjoy the pleasures and benefits of life on the Peninsula.
Over the years, Mary has had broad experience as an educator, a retailer and a volunteer. She was active in Family Caregivers and Return to Health, as well, she is a current member of the Saanich Peninsula Hospital Auxiliary.
As caregiver to her mother to the age of 101, she fully appreciates the value to clients and their families of the services offered by Mount Newton Centre and will contribute in any way she can to the Centre’s ongoing success.
