Meet the Team
Sam Dixon
Coastal/South/West Otago Coordinator
Kia Ora, I’m Sam Dixon OCC’s Regional Coordinator. Working alongside Nicole Sutton and the Governance Committee my work involves establishing and supporting an Otago wide network of Catchment Groups that are addressing environmental issues for now and for generations to come. I am responsible for fostering a community catchment group approach and will provide oversight of the OCC work plan.
Raised in Canterbury where I did my studies at Lincoln University, I have spent the last seven years working in Southland In their land management team. Working with farmers and catchment groups navigating the policy frameworks. Outside of work I like to get outdoors along the beach, up the mountains and am on the court for Basketball and Men’s Netball.
I’ve come to join the OCC team as I believe a network of Catchment Groups can help Otago achieve great environmental gains at pace and scale if we all work together. I value Otago’s future and want to work to ensure all can play a part of how it is shaped. I truly believe the Environment and Economy go hand in hand, just as getting things done at pace and scale takes many hands to make light work.
p: 027 777 0940
Nicole Sutton
Central Otago Coordinator
As Central Catchment Coordinator my role is to support Catchment Groups in the Central Otago and Upper Lakes area.
I grew up on a dairy farm in the Waikato and am now happily ensconced in sheep and cattle county near Alexandra. After acquiring a Master of Science degree from the University of Waikato, majoring in Biology, I went on to work for the Department of Conservation for a number of years. Initially in the field working with threatened species and then in leadership and community focused roles, including supporting community groups doing a variety of environmental restoration work.
I’m excited to be working with OCC, as this allows me to continue to support inspiring people and groups to achieve outcomes that benefit both people and the environment.
p: 022 128 3591
Craig Simpson
Regional Manager
Craig has supported OCC in a governance role for the past three years, and with a background as a Catchment Coordinator with the NZ Landcare Trust and more recently a Project Coordinator for Otago South River Care and Pomahaka Water Care Group, he brings a wealth of experience to the role and a personal passion to protect the environment and maintain and improve water quality.
p: 027 286 4611
Camille McAtamney
OCC Administrator
Sheep & Beef Farmer from Puketi, South Otago with husband Simon and two children Fraser and Gemma. Trained and taught in both Tertiary and Secondary School sectors in the Business Administration field. Previously on the OCC Governance Committee and now the Administrator for OCC. Other current roles - Otago Regional Coordinator for the Ballance Farm Environment Awards, Otago South River Care Governance Committee, other various administrative positions and community involvement around South Otago and Clutha Valley.
p: 027 418 3414
Steering Committee
Hanna Stalker
Chair
I am located in Hampden, North Otago where my partner and I have recently purchased our first farm, a bull beef finishing property.
I am kept busy currently on farm as well as looking after our two children. Previously I have worked for DairyNZ as an Environmental Change Specialist as well as over 8 years in the dairy industry around Southland and Otago.
Originally a “townie” from Christchurch after gaining a BSc from Massey majoring in Agriculture I have continued learning through various roles in the farming sector. I'm currently in the process of putting together a catchment group for our area to help progress the environmental gains that are being made in the industry.
Currently Chair & Committee Appointed Catchment Group Representative.
Randall Aspinall
Vice-chair
Randall Aspinall runs Mt Aspiring Station with his wife Allison. They are actively involved with the Wanaka Catchment Group as well as several other water quality and community based groups around the Upper Clutha. Randall has been involved with setting up the Otago Catchment Community from the start and sees it as a great opportunity to connect and support catchment groups across Otago.
Currently Vice-Chair & Central Lakes Catchment Group Elected Representative.
Katie Barns
Secretary/Treasurer
A process engineer by profession working in the resource industry who runs a beef fattening block farms with her husband just south of Waikouaiti in East Otago. Formerly the chair of the East Otago Catchment group and now on the group's governance committee.
Currently Secretary/Treasurer & North/East Otago Catchment Group Elected Representative.
Bryan Scott
ORC Representative
Bryan Scott is the ORC Councillor representative on OCC. Born and raised in South Otago, he is a qualified engineer and project manager. Previously chair of the ORC Regulatory and Technical committees, he is currently co-chair of the ORC Implementation committee. Based on a lifestyle block at Signal Hill, Dunedin, Bryan is currently carrying out a programme of native bush planting.
Simon O’Meara
South/West Otago Catchment Group Elected Representative
I am originally a Southland lad, but have been farming in Wilden West Otago for the last 22 years with my wife Penny and 3 teenage offspring.
I became involved in helping set up the Pomahaka Water Care Group after the ORC branded the Pomahaka River as Otago's dirtiest river in 2014.
As a sheep and beef farmer I thought it would be an easy fix for us, until I did some water testing.
Many years later I am very proud of the changes farmers have made to their land to improve the water quality in our part of the world.
Long may we continue to aspire to be the best regardless of regulation.
Lloyd McCall
Co-opted
I have lived all of my life in West Otago. Our family owns a 600 cow dairy farm on the banks of the Pomahaka river. This triggered my interest in water quality leading to my involvement with the setting up and management of the Pomahaka Water Care Group.
With Adam and Georgina running the farm I have time to work in the catchment group space and have a number of farm business management clients. Along with Robyn we propagate about 15,000 native riparian plants annually in conjunction with local fund raising groups and look after the dairy farms heifer block.