Josey Wallace
Josey works in Roading as a Network Engineer. “I’m from Ireland and have been living here in New Zealand for 12 years. My role is varied and I work on everything from Road Resurfacing, Street lighting and Footpaths to new projects to widen and strengthen our roads. We are spoilt in this district, being able to jump in our cars and explore the mountains, remote lakes and meandering coastal loops. Whatever our favourite activity, it usually starts with packing up the car and hitting the road."
Joshua Rendell
Originally from a construction background, and a trained Carpenter, Joshua is completing an engineering degree. He used to build bridges before he took on the Water and Civil Engineering degree he spends all his home time finishing off. He takes pleasure in knowing that local government work contributes to the entire community. “The work you do impacts a lot of people, they just don’t know it.” His best work is buried underground. Not in a mafia way.
Mary-Ann Beets
At first a casual position which turned into a full time one at the Aquatic Centre bookends a life spent in, on or by the water. A swim teacher for 25 years, Mary-Ann had her own swim school in South Africa and has been involved in swimming competitions at the national and international level. Her vision, as she explains it, is “to make it a place people want to come to, a place where they feel safe and enjoy themselves.”
Martin Velez
Martin works in the Council’s IT department assisting with monitoring, maintaining, supporting and optimising the Council network, server and cloud infrastructure. Some of the things he is focusing on are soccer, photography and he is taking piano lessons as well; learning French and practising his English, something he didn’t get much chance to do at home. How many languages does he speak? “Just Spanish.” He’s funny too.
Caitlin McEvoy
Invercargill born and bred, Caitlin started off studying PE at Otago University but ended up with a Bachelor of Science majoring in Psychology. “I like using it in a practical way, particularly in HR (her first role upon graduation) which is dealing with problems, setting policies, it’s all about what people need and want.” Caitlin thinks the weather here is better, that Oamaru is small but perfectly formed, boutique-y with enough cafes for this coffee fiend. It’s got everything covered.
Fanua Pereira-Ueleni
“I was working in the boning room in the freezing works before starting at the council as a Librarian,” says Fanua. She spends some of her time at the Forrester Gallery which is where we found her. Refuting allegations that librarians are nosey she says, “I think librarians are curious, I certainly like to know what’s going on in the world and Oamaru.” Opinionated, unconventional and deliciously flamboyant, Fanua loves meeting interesting people.
