Linda provides strategic and operational leadership for the Clutha Development Inc.
She leads and supports a high performing team, working together to achieve the best solutions for activities and initiatives that will make CluthaNZ a great place to live, work, invest and visit.
Sarah has the responsibility to lead and manage the development and delivery of strategic projects and initiatives with focus on the following key areas, More Quality Housing, Filling our Jobs, Management of Clutha as a Destination and Our Environmental Footprint.
Sarah has a BA from Otago University, and a Graduate Diploma in Economic Development.
Sarah is the Sector Enablement Manager. She primarily supports "Filling our Jobs". This comprises of attracting people to live and work in the Clutha District, business support and wellbeing including collaboration between employers and employees and developing and supporting business and education partnerships by promoting career pathways in schools.
Sarah also helps with the Management of Clutha as a destination, actively promoting and supporting tourism operators including agri-toursim opportunities and regional events.
Laura actively supports a range of administration tasks to ensure that Clutha Development runs efficiently. She also provides support to projects across the orginisation's key focus areas and is responsible for the management and delivery of Heartland Services.
Libby is responsible for the management of a portfolio of marketing and promotional activities - from campaigns and content creation and activation to business and community engagement.
Libby's focus is on the domestic and international marketing of Clutha NZ as a visitor destination and supporting the creation of marketing and promotional initiatives that will attract people to live and work in the Clutha District.
Originally form Tauranga, Libby's first experience south was at University of Otago, where she graduated with a Bcom in Marketing and BA in Psychology.
Simon Davies, with his wife Joanna, farm a 10,000su sheep and beef breeding and finishing farm at Toko Mouth. They have farmed in the Clutha District for thirteen years and have been a member of Clutha Development Inc. since it began.
Simon has completed a B Tech at Massey and spent 12 years seafood processing, both in New Zealand and around the world. After a career in the seafood industry he returned to Taranaki to run his family’s sheep, and dairy support farm.
With a passion for the region, excellent communication skills and broad multi-industry experience, Simon is committed to the development of the Clutha district.
Bridget grew up on a sheep, beef and deer farm in Southland. She now resides on a farm in Waitahuna with her husband Luke and their four small children, Isla, Millie, Ava and George. From the time Bridget left school, she knew she wanted to be involved in the agricultural sector. After a few years shepherding, she completed a degree in Agricultural Commerce at Lincoln University, then worked in various rural businesses gaining experience in rural finance, marketing and product management. Bridget is currently the Otago Area Manager for FMG, based in Clutha. This role sees her leading a team of colleagues throughout Otago, who service the commercial, rural and personal insurance requirements of clients.
Living, working and raising her family in the Clutha region shows her strong commitment to the area. She is passionate about the region’s future and is driven to contribute to the growth and sustainability for local businesses whilst promoting and maintaining a strong sense of community.
Will Clarke is a dairy and beef farmer from the Clinton district where his family have farmed since the 1890’s. Will studied accounting and management at the University of Otago and he is a qualified Chartered Accountant. Will has travelled extensively and returned to the farm in 2012 which he now runs with his wife Stacey.
Will is committed to the Clutha district and is motivated to help make it an excellent place to Live, Work and Visit.
Jared is the managing Director at Balclutha Motors which operates the Nissan, Caltex, Pie face and Tyreland franchises here in Balclutha. Jared also has a variety of other business interests, giving him a great understanding of doing business in Clutha and the needs of local businesses and the importance of having people live and shop local to grow the area we live in. He is active in the community with being President of the Clutha Rugby Club amongst other interests.
Hamish is a Dairy Farmer, our water quality project manager and has been a Clutha District Councillor for 15 years, 9 of these as Deputy Mayor. Hamish has vast governance experience, including: Livestock Improvement South Island board, followed by LIC National Council Chair, Chair of Lower Clutha drainage and flood protection liaison group with ORC, RMA accredited hearings panellist and RMA accredited hearings panel chair, Chair, Telford Dairy Farm advisory committee, Otago Land Transport committee, Clutha Health First trustee and the District Development Board as a board member and then Chair.
Noelene is the manager of the Cross Recreation Centre, who leads a small but effective team of five staff. She enjoys the challenges that each day brings in this position where they strive to ensure the facility works efficiently as they provide a valuable experience for all their users. Alongside six years contracted to Netball NZ managing and delivering the CoachForce programme over the Otago Southland area as part of the National Programme.
As a keen netballer Noelene has been involved in many aspects of the sport, coaching many Age Group teams over the years both at a local and provincial level, culminating with the Netball South Under 23 team. She has also been a Committee member for South Otago Netball Centre.
Josh grew up on a lifestyle block 5 minutes out of Balclutha in Barnego. After finishing high school at South Otago High School, he began a Commerce degree majoring in business management at the University of Otago. Following the completion of his degree, Josh began working full time for Mike Hurring Logging as the Health & Safety Administrator. Nowadays he helps with the day-to-day running of the company and the machine simulators that are used for training, a big focus of the company.
In his spare time, Josh is really into hunting having grown up going out most weekends chasing deer, pigs and ducks, and in later years tsar and chamois. Rugby is also a big passion, having played for Clinton Rugby Club. Motocross was also a big part of his life during his school years racing all over NZ and gaining a Blues award in his final year at South Otago.
Originally from England, I have lived in New Zealand since 2009 and recently became a citizen.
Since moving to Clutha in 2017, I have been involved in many community projects and organisations. I have been a committee member for Kaitangata Museum, Kaitangata Promotions and the South Otago Theatrical Society. Although I am no longer on those committees, I still do voluntary work for them, maintaining the SOTS website, submitting funding bids and getting involved in various projects. I was also the admin officer for the Clutha Foundation for 2 years.
As a teacher, advisory teacher and headteacher (in England, New Zealand and Bangladesh) I have worked with diverse groups of people at a practical as well as an executive level. Since retiring from teaching, I have enjoyed doing all sorts of temporary and casual work. I currently work for an online training company as a copywriter. I also write plays and songs.
I am committed to tackling the environmental issues we face today and ensuring a future for our children and grandchildren, but I believe in working with people rather than against them, with kindness and compassion.
I love Clutha. I find people here very welcoming, friendly and down to earth. I would love to contribute to bringing people into our community here as visitors and as residents.
