Staff Profiles
What makes Trail Journeys tick?
TRAIL JOURNEYS was founded by Neville Grubb and Ritchie Bailey. Nev and Ritchie are two experienced locals who have been involved in outdoor activities in the Central Otago for numerous years, with multi-sport, kayak and cycling backgrounds. They had a passion for the local area and what it offers to the outdoor enthusiast.
Originally "Kayak & Outdoor" and operating from Alexandra, the business was renamed and relocated to the start of the Railtrail at Clyde in a new refurbished premises.
The business also includes an "Information Centre" to give customers all the information needed and services required to have a successful experience on the Otago Central Railtrail. Trail Journeys offers merchandise, refreshments. Bookings for other activities in the Central Otago area can also be made through our new booking terminal. If you need accommodation, travel, guided trips, wine tour bookings or anything associated with the tourism industry in our area, Trail Journeys can supply it.
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NEVILLE GRUBB: is the founder and Managing Director of Trail Journeys who has lived all his life in Central Otago. After Ritchie retired and a re-think of where the business needed to go, Nev sold down some shares in the company to a group of local businessmen and remained on as Managing Director. Shayne, Nev's son in law, now manages the business, with Nev taking on a Marketing and Development role within the company and is always on the lookout for opportunities for Trail Journeys. |
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SHAYNE O'CONNOR: A keen Mountain biker and hunter, Shayne is married with four children and is a passionate advocate of Central Otago and the lifestyle those that are lucky enough to live in the area are able to lead. Shayne is Trail Journeys Manager, Shareholder and Company Director and is responsible for the planning and implementation of day to day business. (You may also remember him from his days as a New Zealand cricketer, not that you'd hear that from him!). |
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HANNAH RICHARDSON: Born, bred and remains in Central Otago due to her love of the climate, the close proximity of family and friends and says there is always plenty to do here. Hannah has had a stint overseas, plays netball and indoor basketball. Hannah has worked full time for Trail Journeys in administration and reception since 2007 and does itinerary planning and organising; she enjoys meeting the people and helping them to experience what her home region has to offer. |
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BARBARA GRUBB: Nev's wife, Barb, came to Central Otago as a teacher in 1972 and married Nev in 1976. She retired from teaching in 2006 and now spends a lot of time looking after her 4 grandchildren. Barb does the occasional driving and guide work for Trail Journeys, specialising in the St Bathans off trail trip. Barb is the guide for The Venus Adventures Ladies Only Tour and enjoys telling people about the fantastic place we live in. She and Camille, her daughter are responsible for the wonderful home baking on the Guided Tours. |
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MARY STEWART: Originally a Southlander, Mary moved to Central Otago in 1977 and never left! Mary spent 15 years Civil Draughting on the Clyde Power Project and now works the summer season for Trail Journeys in administration and reception; Mary started a paper at the University of Otago in the winter of 2011 comes back for the summer season each year. Mary is a keen cyclist, skier and tramper and enjoys Central Otago for the opportunities it provides to partake in these activities as well as the landscape |
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SNOW HAMILTON: A local who farmed in Becks most of his life until 2008 when he sold the farm and moved to Alexandra. Was lucky to find part time work for Trail Journeys and has passion for breeding and racing horses. Loves taking tours, meeting people and sharing his local knowledge. Has been involved in golf, rugby, tennis and squash and has been office bearer of a number of clubs over the years. Loves travelling, tramping and living in Central Otago. |
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ALANA GREER: Grew up on a farm in Dunedin, lived in Brisbane for 3 years before heading to the UK and Europe for 2 years on a working holiday. Alana has spent most of her working life with credit unions, one in Edinburgh and the other in ‘Edinburgh South’ – more commonly known as Dunedin. Alana is no stranger to Central Otago as she spent many a family holiday here over the years. Alana started with Trail Journeys in November 2010 and she coordinates our Guided Tours, our Catch A Bus transport service and she also looks after the needs of our trade customers. |
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JORDAN GILMORE: Having completed 8 years at Canterbury University; he applied for, and was the successful applicant for the Assistant Managers job in the winter of 2010. Jordan has family in Central Otago and he has spent time here over the years. When he and his new wife decided they’d like to try a quieter, slower pace of life, the climate, the unique landscape and relaxed people of Central led this to be their first choice. Jordan is a keen and competitive cyclist, mountain biker and a recreational rock climber |
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TIFF LAING: She has lived in Central Otago her whole life. She has experienced different jobs throughout the region such as cafe/bar work, orchard work and running a clothing store. Tiff had a break from the winter in Central Otago last year and went to the Gold Coast for six months. She is passionate about the area and really enjoy living here. She says working for Trail Journeys is a real experience....you get to meet people from all over the world and give them a trip to remember! |
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JACQUE LIPS: Born a Dutchman but now a proud New Zealander who talks funny. Jacque spent around 23 years in the corporate world before owning and running his own business for 8 years. Looking for a more relaxed lifestyle Jacque and his wife relocated to Central Otago. A keen golfer and fisherman Jacque loves the outdoors and the amazing Central Otago history. A seasonal mechanic - driver and tour guide, Jacque has found his bit of paradise with Trail Journeys. |
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PAUL ELLIS: After 38 years in education, the last 31 as school principal, Paul took a major life shift and moved to Alexandra early in 2009. Originally from the Waikato he had worked in schools from Whangarei to Invercargill. |
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ALLEN HANSEN: Spent most of his working life farming in Gore but scaled down and moved to Central Otago for the good climate, the mountains and to be able to grow fruit and vegetables. Allen is in to anything outdoors and enjoys his running and tramping exploits. He thinks Central Otago is a unique place that has everything. He enjoys sharing it with other people as he ushers them onto or along the Rail Trail. Allen is one of Trail Journeys seasonal bike mechanics, drivers and tour guides. |
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KEVIN MACKENZIE: Involved in education for 40 years before taking on part time work with Trail Journeys as a driver, bag mover, equipment maintainer, painter, general dog’s body. Married to Sue with 2 children and 4 grand children (soon to be 5). Keen outdoor bowler and generally a sports fanatic. Have lived in Alexandra for just over a year but have had an association with the area for many years. |
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ALAN JANMAN: Originally from the UK, Alan came to New Zealand in 1977 to take up an IT work role at Air New Zealand. An IT back ground has come in useful in a recent systems upgrade at Trail Journeys. He now enjoys driving buses, fixing bikes and meeting people in the Trail Journeys organisation and never gets bored with the drive through to Middlemarch and back. Alan loves the outdoors and now concentrates mainly on golf with constantly varying success! |
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CAMILLE O'CONNOR: Part time employee, Guided Tour Baker, Call Upon Driver, and most importantly making sure our staff get paid (Administration). A mother to four active children who keeps fit and helps others to get fit. She has been involved in the fitness industry for 14 years as a personal trainer, team fitness trainer, lecturer in Sport and Exercise Physiology, and most recently starting up the Active Mums franchise in Central Otago (helping mums-to-be and mums of toddlers to get and stay fit) |
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TERINA GEDDES: Coordinates our Middlemarch Depot and she is a general wealth of information about Middlemarch and the Rail Trail. Terina enjoys gardening, embroidery, music, reading and helping in the community. Having been a shepherd, Terina and her husband now run their own farm in Middlemarch; they have 1 child and another on the way. |
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LAURIE MCNEILL: Laurie joined the Trail Journeys & Catch a Bus team in 2010 after 30 years in a career that saw him working in Hawkes Bay, South Canterbury and Otago. He is one of the part time drivers of Catch a Bus, travelling from Dunedin to Central Otago. He has a great love of the Otago outdoors and history and enjoys sharing this environment with the wide variety of passengers he transports through the area. |
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WARREN BROOKLAND: Having joined Trail Journeys in September 2011, as one of their part-time Catch a Bus drivers; coming from a background of taking tourists from around the world through Central Otago it’s a pleasure to be able to journey you through one of the most scenic parts of New Zealand and share my years of experience of the area with you, whether it is to commence your holiday here or experience the Otago Central Rail Trail. |
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NICOLE JOYCE: Has 3 beautiful children. Previously the Finance Manager for the Microbiology Department at Otago University Nicole now takes care of Trail Journeys accounts. B4K (Before kids) Nicole loved to cook, read, biking or walking, yoga and have her husband take her out to dinner. Nicole loves the climate, lifestyle and pace of life here in Central Otago. |
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JIM WILSON:
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PAM LAING:
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LIZ KEAST:
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