The Front Office

The Front Office is the nerve centre where you go when you want to find out... well, anything about anything! From here all aspects of the Workcentre's many activities are co-ordinated.

Manager : Alli Gardener

Alli arrived at the Workcentre in 1994, assigned by Task Force Green as the project manager to co-ordinate the construction of some new buildings. Her present role, as Manager, is a good example of the organic way the Workcentre has tended to grow. Roles develop in accord with the abilities of individuals. In a organisation that is non-hierarchical, Alli's role is to assign the appropriate person or place for each piece of paperwork that crosses her desk. This, of course, leads to many other avenues...

Simon Shaw

Simon Shaw is an office administrator, and general dogs body! He has lived in the Bay since 2003. Simon is a qualified LTNZ driving instructor and Mountain Safety firearms instructor. At the Workcentre he is the Fire Safety Officer. Simon is also a Youth Transitions worker and all round good guy.

Adriana Foreman

Born in Rome, Adriana works with Alli on a part-time basis. She re-visits all the old files and tries to get some semblance of order. Adriana also helps with general office work.

 

Finance and Projects

Finance Manager : Daniel Bulman

Daniel joined the Workcentre as Finance Manager in June 2006. He has the overview of the finances and works alongside Sophie in a teaching and guidance role. He also negotiates contracts, sets budgets, reports to Trustees and maintains and develops accounting systems.

Sophie Davies

Sophie implements Daniel's accounting systems, ensuring that invoices and wages are paid.

Mik Symmons

Mik has worked at the workcentre since 1998. Initially employed to develop community volunteer projects, some of the projects are now well established, including the Takaka Hill Walkway, the Collingwood Cemetery reserve walkway.

He has undertaken, or been involved in, a range of social research projects for both central and local government agencies. Some of these include:

• Golden Bay Social Golden Bay in 2022 - a report on current issues and potential futures facing Golden Bay through the eyes of local residents. View PDF format report (604KB)
• Report (2004) for MSD - an investigation into the extent of sub standard housing (2007) for HNZC. View PDF format report

 

Heartland Services

Initially established in the neighbouring Community Centre building, Heartland Services is now located, in a purpose-built building, across the road at Commercial Street. Heartland Services shares office space and services with the Golden Bay branch of Work and Income NZ. However, Co-ordinator, Wendy Earle continues to provide invaluable PA services to Golden Bay Workcentre. Wendy is assisted by Vicki Lawson (image right).

email: heartlands@gbwct.org.nz

Wendy Earle
Heartland-Services Co-Ordinator

I have lived in Golden Bay since 1990. Initially working as a midwife at the Community Hospital and in my current position as Heartland Services Co-ordinator since 2003.

Heartland Services, funded by the Ministry of Social Development and under the umbrella of the Workcentre Trust, provides a link to all government and community agencies and organizations to make them accessible to members of the community.


"My role includes hosting and making appointments for the various agencies who visit the Bay including Community Law, IRD, ACC, Community Probation, Career Services, Immigration, Internal Affairs to name a few. I hold many forms, such as those for IRD and immigration, and can download any that I don't hold from the Internet.

I also work as PA for the Workcentre which involves a variety of tasks from NZQA searches, production of CVs and formatting of unit standards to typing up minutes of meetings, to name a few of my roles.

In 2008 I took on the role of co-ordinator of the BeWell Project. Funded by Nelson PHO this is an initiative to promote health and wellness in the community and includes a questionnaire card to help people identify health issues, free health checks and support to help people overcome barriers to good health and a large range of resources and information regarding health-related issues.

Heartland Services is often the first port of call for those unsure where to go for answers to their questions with the result that I get some unusual and interesting questions to answer and problems to solve. With the variety of roles I fill for the Work Centre the job is varied with a constant flow of people and phone calls and never any opportunity for boredom. I never know what I will be doing in five minutes time which I find both stimulating and interesting. Multi-tasking ability is an essential pre-requisite for the job!

The Workcentre is a vibrant and progressive asset for the Golden Bay Community. The variety of courses running at any one time is extraordinary and the opportunities offered for the youth of Golden Bay who might otherwise miss out on social and educational opportunites is amazing. It is a privilege to be associated with such and energetic and stimulating group of people".

The Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees guides the Trust intelligently and effectively.

They are a strong core group who have participated in extending their own knowledge of the multiplicity of Workcentre programmes, schemes and jurisdictions. They also manage a wide range of other projects for the community of Golden Bay. The Trust represents many different walks of life with different viewpoints.

As an organisation of considerable longevity (32 years old in 2011) the Trust has an established and credible role as a key player in the social landscape of Golden Bay both locally and regionally.

The members of the currrent board are:

• Geoff Rennison, Chairman
• Sarah Hornibrooke
• Linda Sanders
• Alli Gardener, Manager (ex-officio)
• Laurelee Duff
• Daniel Bulman, Financial Manager (non-trustee)
• Sabina Wick
• Belinda Barnes
• Ian Elsey

The Board offers a fond farewell to Mary Baigent QSM, who passed away in April 2011. Mary was involved with a wide range of community groups during her lifetime in the Bay. She was a dedicated, respected and much appreciated member of our board for many years, and our Patron in her latter years. She is greatly missed.