George Swanepoel - Risk , Health and Safety Manager
I ’ m originally from South Africa , and started working as an Environmental Health Officer in Public Health before changing to health and safety in 1991 . I ’ ve been privileged to have held several health and safety managerial positions , including several international positions , for a number of companies in a variety of industry sectors . I ’ m privileged to lead a supportive team that enjoys coming to work , to enhance the safety and wellbeing of all staff across our organisation .
Jo Peters - Emergency Planning Team Leader
Jo is the newest member of our team , returning from Arlington , Virginia where Jo worked for about sixteen years in emergency management . Some might say Jo has come ‘ full circle ’. She trained as a nurse and started her career at Tauranga Hospital . She suspects her office in Pohutukawa House ( previously a home for nurses ) might have once been her bedroom !
Jocelyn Stowers - Emergency Planning Coordinator
Joce is a familiar face to many staff who ’ ve been involved in emergency planning in recent times . Originally from a nursing and health promotion background , Joce trained as a Registered and Obstetric Nurse , specialising in orthopaedics . Her career path then took an interesting turn , including assisting with motorcycle training around the country before joining the organisation in 2006 as Emergency Planning Coordinator . Joce ’ s expertise in emergency planning was recognised recently . She was involved in the Marae Emergency Preparedness Project which recently won the International Association of Emergency Managers ( IAEM ) Oceania Partners in Preparedness Award and IAEM-Global Partners in Preparedness Award . Well done Joce !
Jane Buet - Administration Support
Jane ’ s been with the organisation since she migrated to New Zealand in 2007 . Jane has an honours degree in International Marketing and has worked in Germany , Spain , UK and Mexico .
Rhonda Hunter-Administration Support
Rhonda is the team ’ s ‘ go to person ’, having been with the organisation for several years there ’ s not much she doesn ’ t know when it comes to health and safety process and injury claims and costs . It is a pleasure having her in the team ; especially as she always has the answers ready before even asking the question .
Deb DuVall - Health and Safety Advisor
Deb joined us earlier this year after working at ACC for 16 years . Deb is a bit of an adventurer and her interest includes travelling , boxing , rugby , fishing , scuba diving and swimming .
Deslee Carswell - Specialty Nurse
Deslee completed Tauranga Hospital based nursing training some time ago ( not telling ) and has worked mostly in occupational health , rehabilitation management and product safety / quality arenas before returning to the BOPDHB a couple of years ago . Her current office within Pohutukawa House was originally the nurses ’ home where she says many wayward and interesting times were spent in the first year of her student nursing .
Marthie van Niekerk-Health and Safety Advisor
Marthie was previously a registered nurse before switching to the health & safety industry . She joined the organisation earlier this year having worked as a Health and Safety Advisor at Lakes DHB .
Teresa Kerslake - Hazards , Risk , Health and Safety Systems Coordinator
Like Marthie , Teresa also switched career paths from nursing to health and safety . She ’ s been with the organisation for a few years and has previously been an Inspector with WorkSafe ( previously Department of Labour ).
Zoe Wathey - Specialty Nurse
Originally from Wales ; Zoe is a registered nurse and works closely with Deslee and Jan in the Occupational health office . When not working , Zoe enjoys spending time with her family and children .
Jan McGrath - Nurse Coordinator Occupational Health and Safety , and Healthy Living
Jan trained as a nurse at Tauranga Hospital . She worked in the community and then spent 17 years in Western Australia working as a Health Advisor and Registered Nurse at remote mining sites in Pilbara . Before joining the BOPDHB to coordinate the Occupational Health and Safety , and Healthy Living teams , Jan worked as a Safety Advisor in the energy and horticulture sectors . In her spare time Jan enjoys jet skiing , travel and spending time with friends and family .
Diane Newland - Specialty Nurse , Healthy Living
Diane comes to us with a wealth of experience , ranging from intensive care , primary care , practice nurse , educator , coordinator and board member . Diane brings her primary care knowledge to the Healthy Living clinic role being comfortable with cardiac , diabetes and respiratory conditions . Diane is married with a daughter and a granddaughter , and spends her free time walking , goes to the gym , plays tennis , reads avidly and likes to play with paper craft when she feels like resting her mind .
Nichola Couch - Specialty Nurse , Healthy Living
Nichola joins the team on secondment from her nursing position in ED at Tauranga Hospital . She also has a background in all areas of Occupational Health , Safety and Wellbeing .
Janine Barr - Specialty Nurse , Healthy Living
Janine is a familiar face at Whakatāne Hospital , having been the Specialty Nurse there for several years . Janine loves her job and every day she endeavour to make a difference in the lives of people . The mantra she lives by is ; “ Do all the good you can , by all the means you can , in all the way you can , at all the times you can , to all the people you can .”
Our team is here for your safety and wellbeing and we would like to work with you to improve our safety culture . If you want to know more information search Health & Safety on OnePlace .
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