Heather Casey

Diploma in Nursing (1992)
Director of Nursing – Mental Health and Addictions, Southern District Health Board

After completing her Diploma in Nursing, Heather went on to earn a Master of Arts in Nursing from Victoria University. She has held a number of positions within the Southern District Health Board, from staff nurse to clinical service manager, and she is currently Chair of the South Island Mental Health and Addictions Alliance. Heather continues to contribute to Otago Polytechnic by working with our School of Nursing to support clinical placements and develop nursing curricula.

Jane Wilson, Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, says, “Heather has an extensive and impressive nursing career in mental health, addiction and intellectual disability. Heather’s achievements are a testament to her dedication and commitment to improving mental health and addiction services.”

Heather’s career includes the following highlights:

• Established and chaired the inaugural Southern district Nurse Practitioner group
• Secondment with the Health Quality and Safety Commission on the Mental Health and Addiction quality improvement programme
• Guest speaker at the International Council of Nurses annual congress in Barcelona

Kaye Cheetham

Diploma in Occupational Therapy (1993); Post-graduate Diploma in Occupational Therapy Practice (2003)
Director of Allied Health, Southern District Health Board

Kaye is the Director of Allied Health for the Southern District Health Board (SDHB). She has been a member of the Occupational Therapy Board since 2016, and is the Service Manager of Community Based Services. Kaye has played a pivotal role in implementing the Calderdale Framework in SDHB, a process which encourages the development of competencies related to clinical practice.

Andrew Metcalfe, Former Director of Allied Health, says, “Kaye is an exemplar leader within the occupational therapy profession.”

Otago Polytechnic staff say, “Kaye has a gift for developing effective and sustainable relationships, and goes the extra mile to ensure success and quality.”

Kaye’s career includes the following highlights:

• The roll-out of the Listen to Me programme, which encouraged kinder interactions with patients
• The roll-out of Get Dotted training which taught staff how to work more effectively with one another
• Development of the New Graduates programme to foster better working relationships
• Promotion of Allied Health Scholarships
• Development of the NZ Fieldwork Assessment
• Implemented Fieldwork Five, a course which focuses on community development
• Drove a project in Atiu, Cook Islands, looking at community development needs

Tony Dodds

Diploma in Sporting Performance (2006)
Athlete

Tony has represented New Zealand in triathlon in both Olympic and Commonwealth Games. He also coaches up and coming youth triathletes, and has developed a group training culture. Since becoming a competitive triathlete in 2005 Tony has secured the title of New Zealand Under 23 Champion three times, and achieved multiple top 10 placings in both World Cup and World Triathlon Series Events.

Roger Southby, Principal Lecturer at Otago Polytechnic, says it has been a privilege watching Tony give back to the community.

Gary Barclay, Principal Lecturer at Otago Polytechnic, says, “Tony’s efforts in the community to help grow and develop triathlon are truly worthy of receiving the honour of Otago Polytechnic’s Distinguished Alumni Award.”

Tony’s career highlights include:

• Participating in the Rio Olympics, 2016
• Participating in the German Championships, Hamburg ITU World Series, the Cape Town ITU World Series and the Yokohama ITU World Series, 2016
• New Zealand’s number 1 male elite triathlete, 2016
• Competed in two Commonwealth games – Glasgow and Gold Coast

Ginny Green

Diploma in Nursing (1991)
Chief Executive Officer, Otago Community Hospice

Ginny has been the Chief Executive Officer of the Otago Community Hospice since 2007. In that time the hospice has become increasingly prominent in the community, and Ginny facilitates clinical placements for Otago Polytechnic nursing and occupational therapy students. Ginny is also a member of the Dunedin South Rotary Club. She is a significant contributor to the club, and has taken an active involvement in running the affairs of the South Dunedin branch.

Philip Cullen, Deputy Chief Executive Otago Polytechnic, says, “Ginny has addressed the relentless fundraising required year in and year out with grace and determination.”

Ginny’s career highlights include:

• An ongoing relationship with Otago Polytechnic – supporting the student experience and being a regular guest speaker
• Service Manager Oncology and Haematology at the Otago District Health Board from 2002 – 2007

Phillipa (Pip) Love

Graduate Diploma in Physical Conditioning (Level 7) (2013)

Strength and Conditioning Coach, Rugby Player

After completing a degree in physical education Phillipa achieved a Graduate Diploma in Physical Conditioning. Between 2009 and 2014 Pip played 64 games for the Alhambra-Union team, and she went on to represent Otago. She is now a member of the Black Ferns rugby team.

Brendon Timmins, Principal Lecturer at Otago Polytechnic, says, “It is with pride that I now see Pip regularly donning the black jersey for New Zealand and representing her country, knowing the effort she put in to gain this opportunity.”

Cathy Charles, Coach of AURFC Women, says, “Pip was a role model for other club members.”

Pip’s career highlights include:

• Black Fern (NZ Rugby) 2014 (1), 2017 (1), 2018 (5), 7 goals, 1 try, 5 points
• Otago 2009 (3), 2011 (5), 2012 (6), 2013 (7), 2014 (8) 29 goals, 6 tries, 30 points
• Canterbury 2015 (6), 2016 (7), 2017 (8), 2018 (7) 28 goals, 1 try, 45 points

Lorraine Ritchie

Diploma in Nursing (1987)

Nurse Consultant, SDHB (part time), Professional Practice Fellow, University of Otago

Since graduating with a diploma in nursing in 1987, Lorraine has gone on to complete a Masters in Health Sciences with distinction (2003) and a PhD (2014). During her varied and influential career Lorraine has been a lecturer in Otago Polytechnic’s schools of Nursing and Occupational Therapy, she has worked for the Centre of Postgraduate Studies at Otago University, and she held a joint appointment with Otago Polytechnic and Presbyterian Support as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Gerontology. Lorraine developed and delivered postgraduate nursing courses and continues to lecture and supervise Masters’ theses. She is currently a Professional Practice Fellow with the University of Otago.

Jane Wilson, Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer at the Southern District Health Board, says, “Lorraine has had an illustrious career and held a number of senior nursing roles across a range of health sectors. Lorraine’s credibility, integrity and professionalism are unequalled. I am privileged to work with her to improve the care and experience for patients and clients in our Southern community.”

Lorraine’s career highlights include:

• Lorraine is research active. She has many publications to her name, she is an academic journal reviewer, and she frequently presents at national and international conferences
• Professional Nurse Adviser with NZNO 2011 - 2018
• Worked for the Centre of Postgraduate Studies in Nursing, Otago University, 2004 - 2011
• Manager of Ross Home and Hospital 1995 – 2000

Michel Tuffery

Diploma in Fine Arts (Hons) majoring in printmaking (1988); Master of Fine Arts (Honorary) (2014)

Artist, Tuffery Art Management

Michel’s sculptures, paintings and prints have been collected and exhibited by major galleries in New Zealand and internationally. He works across multiple disciplines and cultures and selects materials and visual forms for their potential to engage with social and cultural issues. A significant innovation in his work has been the staging of multi-media performances that include Pacific dance and musical components. He gained a Diploma in Fine Arts (Hons) in 1988, and then undertook further study in Hawai’i with the aid of the David Con Hutton Award scholarship. He has since undertaken numerous research and community residencies throughout USA, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Asia, India and Australia, and participated in significant shows both here and abroad. In 2008 he was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to art. One of Michel’s recent commissioned works, Ngā Kete, has been installed at Otago Polytechnic.

Clive Humphreys, Acting Head of School, Dunedin School of Art, says, “Michel Tuffery’s extensive record of exhibitions, scholarships, commissions and residencies since graduating is unparalleled among our graduates.”

Graham Fletcher, Dunedin School of Art Senior Lecturer, says, “Michel has been a significant force in the Pacific arts since he came onto the scene.”

Michel’s career highlights include:

• Shows include Made in Oceania: Tapa Art and Social Landscapes, Rautenstrauch Joest Museum, Koln, Germany (2014); Pasifika Styles, University of Cambridge Museum, UK (2006-8); Across Oceans and Time, Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts, Taiwan (2007); Paradise Now?, Asia Society Museum, New York (2004)
• Award for Excellence in Creative Leaderships, Kia Rapa Tu Taku ‘Oe Cook Island Government, 2015
• Awarded an honorary Master of Fine Arts, Dunedin School of Art (Otago Polytechnic), 2014
• Creative New Zealand Contemporary Artist Award, 2010
• Appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to art, 2008
• David Con Hutton Scholarship, 1988
• Awarded a MASPAC Queen Elizabeth II study grant, 1987

Mike Waddell

NZ Certificate in Engineering (1983); Advanced Trade Certificate (Fitting and Turning) (1974)
Director External Relations, Communications and Marketing, Otago Polytechnic

Mike began his career as a mechanical engineer. He soon branched into lecturing at Otago Polytechnic, and then transitioned into a liaison role before becoming Director External Relations, Communications and Marketing at Otago Polytechnic, and a member of the Senior Leadership Team. Mike has given 41 years of service to Otago Polytechnic, promoting the value of real-world, career-focused education and championing the New Zealand education system on the international stage.

Mike is known for his ability to cultivate relationships and build strong community and international partnerships. Locally, he is a member of several boards, he holds leadership roles across a number of organisations, and he has been an active contributor to the iD Fashion Show and the Cancer Ball. Mike also contributes local sports clubs and charities. Internationally, Mike is responsible for Otago Polytechnic’s decade-long relationships with institutions in China.

Nicola Mutch, Executive Director Communications at the Southern District Health Board, says, “I had the privilege of working for and with Mike for nearly two decades. To call him a manager would understate his profound contribution on my, and many of my colleagues’, lives. He was a mentor and a guide, an enabler and trusted friend. He demonstrated the values of kindness, wisdom, humour and tolerance – and a belief in the collective power of capable people.”

Emma Wood, Senior Communications and Engagement Advisor, says, “In my 11 years as a journalist, Mike stood out as an exemplar of an exceptional Communications Director.”

Mike’s career highlights include:

• Certificate of thanks from Guangdong Polytechnic for his devotion to and promotion of their Polytechnic
• Board member: Malcam Trust, Startup Dunedin, Study Dunedin
• Trustee, OP Education Foundation
• Chair, North East Valley Rowing Club
• BCom Marketing Management, 2002
• NZ Craftsman Training Award, 1974

Thomas Wynne

Bachelor of Social Services (Counselling), 2018
Media Advisor to the Cook Islands Prime Minister

Thomas has applied the knowledge he gained in his Social Services degree to a variety of helping roles, such as working with truancy issues in schools, as a teacher aide, as a counsellor and as a guidance counsellor. Thomas has made a significant positive impact on the lives of many young people and their communities.

Based in the Cook Islands, Thomas is passionate about supporting the learning of his local community. He has a wide sphere of influence and is engaged in voluntary work. He has developed counselling services, crisis management policies and better communication models for young people, schools and families in Rarotonga and Aitutaki. He has worked to develop the Punarua Aitutaki Heritage Trust, and he is involved with the Enviro Squad.

In his current role with the Office of the Prime Minister, Thomas builds relationships within the Cook Islands and with the wider Pacific community.

Mawera Karetai, Capable NZ Facilitator, says, “Thomas cares deeply and passionately about his people, their wellbeing and their identity. In particular, he cares about the young people in his community, and their futures.”

Thomas’s career highlights include:

• Development of the Punarua Aitutaki Heritage Trust
• Enviro Squad work
• Regular contributor to the weekly newspaper
• Established a community of learners