The Team Photo
On the grounds of Glasgow University, with Kelvingrove and the Science Tower in the background.
Dressed in style by Slaters and photographed by Ian Watson, Glasgow City Council's photographer, the GSE Team for 2010 are now ready to cross the World.
Only a month to go so it's time to learn more about the Team, here they are:-
Alex
I'm Alex Blair, team leader and currently assistant governor in district 1230. I have 11 clubs in my area. Nine are on, or close to, the coast of the Firth of Clyde and two are on islands, Arran and Bute.
I worked in the telecommunications industry for 35 years, but now I run a small Environmental Trust specialising in local community improvement projects. I also have fun doing a little film and TV extra work and teaching basic computing.
I'm married to Kate and have two daughters, Gillian (34), Fiona (32) and a grandson Daniel (11). I'm something of a perpetual student. After working as an engineer for most of my career, I changed track, graduating with a degree in Psychology and Computing from the Open University in time for my 50th birthday.
I live in Kilwinning on the river Garnock. It was the first fording place upriver from the sea and where building of the local Abbey was first recorded in 1171. Today there is growing speculation of links between Kilwinning Abbey and the Holy Grail.
In my younger days my main interest was sailing, all around the west coast of Scotland, one of the most beautiful cruising areas in the world. Now, my principle hobby is curling. I also edit a Journal for Largs & North Ayrshire Family History Society. My own family history research has taken me back through five generations, mainly fishermen, and all of these Blair's born within a 15 mile radius of my home.
From what I've heard, and impressions gained from New Zealanders I've met, the Scots and the Kiwis appear to have a similar sense of humour and a shared love of live. I'm looking forward to discovering this for myself.
Sponsor Club: Ardrossan and Saltcoats
Web Site: www.three-towns-rotary.info
Lindsay
Hi, my name is Lindsay Eddleston. I am 31 years old, and I'm from Kilmarnock, a small town in Ayrshire, which is just a short distance away from the birthplace of our national poet Robert Burns, and approximately 20 miles south of Glasgow.
I currently work for Glasgow City Council, Scotland's largest local authority, as a Human Resources Officer, and have been in this role for over three years.
My job largely involves providing a strategic and advisory function to the various service HR teams across the Council. This includes ensuring that the Council is compliant with employment legislation, and reviewing our policies and terms and conditions in line with best practice. A key aspect of my role is to provide professional advice, guidance and support on key HR areas, such as absence management, employee relations, equality and diversity, recruitment and retention and workforce planning.
I have worked in the HR field for 7 years, largely in public sector organisations, and I very much enjoy the variety that my job brings - no two days are the same. I am currently a Chartered Member of my professional body, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), and hope to upgrade to Chartered Fellow in the next 2-3 years.
Outside of work I enjoy playing badminton and going to the gym, and I regularly participate in Body Combat classes, a blend of martial arts and aerobics that originated in New Zealand. I am also a keen reader, and enjoy going to concerts, comedy shows and the theatre.
I am looking forward to finding out more about New Zealand's culture, way of life and traditions. I am also interested to learn about employment rights in New Zealand, and how HR practitioners apply these within organisations.
Sponsor Club: Bothwell and Uddingston
Marie
My name is Marie Gannon and I am 31 Years old. I have been living in Glasgow for the last 12 years although I still consider a small island in the North West region of Scotland as my true home. I was born and brought up in a village called Portree on the Isle of Skye. Skye is renowned for its rugged landscape, breathtaking scenery and peaceful way of life. My mum and big brother are still living there and it is my dream to move back one day.
I graduated in 2000 with a BA in Community Arts and went on to study for a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management. It wasn't until I took an opportunity with VSO (Voluntary Services Overseas), working and living in Russia, that I discovered my niche in the professional world. I have been a Learning and Development professional for the last 7 years and currently am the Senior Development Officer for Youth Justice Services in Glasgow City Council's Social Work Department. My remit includes - identifying training needs, designing appropriate training solutions and the delivery of training courses and seminars. I thoroughly enjoy my job and like working for Glasgow City.
Outside of work I enjoy being energetic with a passion for hill walking, running and mountain biking. I also love experimenting in the kitchen and enjoy both cooking and baking.
During my time in New Zealand I hope to meet fellow Youth Justice professionals and share best practice about the ethos, interventions and outcomes. I hope also to learn more about the country and share in some of the amazing cultural experiences that New Zealand has to offer!
Sponsor Club: Kelvin
E-mail: Marie.Gannon@sw.glasgow.gov.uk
LesleyMy name is Lesley McLellan, I'm 29 and live in Glasgow. I grew up in Greenock which is approximately 30 miles to the west of Glasgow and is famous for its industrial history of shipbuilding and sugar refining.
I chose to study geology at the University of Glasgow due to a keen interest which developed from a childhood hobby. I subsequently obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Geotechnical Engineering to broaden my skills available to the industry. So far my career of approximately 7 years has taken me from a multi-national corporation to an independent consultancy, during which time I progressed from graduate engineer to project manager.
I am currently employed by Glasgow City Council as a Geotechnical Engineer Officer and thoroughly enjoy contributing to an organisation which develops the city in which we live. On a day-to-day basis I conduct geological and geotechnical assessments for roads and parkland areas. My work includes the assessment of ground instability above old mine workings and, foundation design. I am both office and site-based. I love that my job involves outdoor working although I'm frequently standing ankle-deep in mud in the pouring rain.
Music is my main passion amongst many things. I'm an active person, enjoying the gym, badminton and, lately, gardening. I thoroughly enjoy being creative and have recently taken up jewellery-making.
I consider this to be a unique opportunity to share my skills and develop new ones to apply to my career in the future - both technically and personally. New Zealand is famous for its active geological processes and will therefore be an exciting place for me to learn first-hand about aspects of my profession. I am honoured to be part of the GSE program and cannot wait to embark on this opportunity of a lifetime.
Sponsor Club: Queens Park.
Web Site: www.queensparkrotary.com
NeilI am Neil MacDougall. I'm 30 years old and a police officer based in the town of Kirkintilloch on the north eastern outskirts of Glasgow. I live in Glasgow with my partner Zoe, but I'm originally from a small village in highland Perthshire called Dunkeld. My parents still live in the village and I have two brothers and a sister who all stay in various parts of Scotland. My eldest brother is also a police officer, a detective sergeant, and my father, who is now retired, was one too - so policing is the family business.
When not patroling the streets of Glasgow, I enjoy outdoor activities, including hillwalking, golf, and my favourite pastime, snowboarding - and I head for the slopes at every opportunity. I also like to try new activities where possible, so I am up for giving most things a go.
I have been a police officer for over seven years and have performed a variety of roles in that time including, response policing, public order duties, plain clothes drugs units and working on murder enquires. I am currently a community police officer with specific responsibilities for two villages, which presents a different set of challenges from working in Glasgow city itself. I enjoy the operational, front-line aspects of the job, which are both challenging and rewarding, but also look to work with our partner agencies and develop strategies to tackle the issues in the community and wider area.
Having taken the opportunity to travel in the past, between studing and joining the police service, I am very much aware of of the benefits travel can bring. In addition, I look forward to the unique opportunities for personal development available through the GSE and to making the most of this experience.
Sponsor Club: Kirkintilloch
