Catherine Jehly, Archivist

Catherine holds an Honours degree in Social Anthropology and Maori Development from Waikato University and has more than ten years’ experience working in museums. She worked at Waikato Museum before moving to Auckland where she was Assistant Curator Maori at Auckland Museum. In this role Catherine was responsible for general collection management of the Maori collection including carrying out research enquiries and managing access to the collection. Catherine was also responsible for developing and maintaining one of New Zealand’s first online taonga databases.

Catherine joined Te Awamutu Museum as Archivist in 2008, and is responsible for managing the museum’s archives collection. Her role includes appraisal and accessions, arrangement and description of archives and administering the museum’s research service. She also maintains the museum’s website.

Catherine is studying towards a Master of Information Studies specialising in archives management. She has a strong interest in digitising heritage material and using social media to manage and promote access to heritage collections. 

 

Alan Reilly, Museum Educator

Alan gained his Bachelor of Education in 2000 and taught in North Otago for two years. In 2003 he returned to Waikato University to complete his Honours in Education, and subsequently worked for a private company facilitating one-day courses motivating secondary school students to get the most of school.  With this company he delivered courses all over New Zealand, England and parts of Asia.

In 2007 Alan joined Te Awamutu Museum in a part-time educator role, which quickly became full-time. Alan’s core responsibilities include developing, promoting, and facilitating education programmes for students aged 5-18, including the museum’s Learning Experiences Outside the Classroom (LEOTC) programme, which  brings more than 4,000 children from 90 schools to the district’s museums each year.  

Alan is currently working towards a museum studies qualification. He lives in Kihikihi with his wife and three children and finds the history embedded in the Waipa district makes for a fascinating place to live, work and play.

 

Nathalie Metz, Museum Administrator

Nathalie has been with Te Awamutu Museum full time since 2008. Her role includes frontline customer service, of which she has extensive experience. Nathalie is also responsible for museum administration and volunteer coordination. She is involved in coordinating exhibition openings and other events, as well as marketing and merchandising.

Nathalie has an Honours degree in Language, Literature and Civilisation from the Sorbonne University in France. She has taught English and worked as a  translator in Paris. She also has a Master of Philosophy from Queensland University and is currently completing Museum Studies with ATTTO.

 

Rosemary Deane, Registrar

Rosemary joined the museum staff in 2011. After a long career in libraries, she made the move to museums in 1999 when she became Information Officer at the New Zealand National Maritime Museum. She then went on to work at MOTAT (Museum of Transport & Technology) in both exhibitions and collections roles and completed a Postgraduate Diploma of Museum Studies through Massey University. 

Between 2008 and 2010 Rosemary project managed the documentation of the Portage Ceramics Trust collection of over 10,000 objects relating to Crown Lynn. Not surprisingly she has a keen interest in ceramics and New Zealand design generally.

 

Sarah Knox, Museum Assistant

Sarah has been Museum Assistant since November 2010 and her connection with Te Awamutu traces back to the town’s first doctor, Walter Harsant.

Sarah's job is to ensure that museum visitors feel welcome at the museum and that their requests and enquiries are answered or promptly directed to another team member. During the weekend it is her responsibility  that collections and visitors remain safe.

Sarah is also currently studying towards a Postgraduate Diploma in Museum and Heritage studies.

  

Renee Foster, Museum Assistant

Renee joined the Museum in late 2008 as relief Museum Assistant. She covers both Te Awamutu and Cambridge Museums. Renee is the face of the museum for visitors and also assists museum staff with a range of projects. Her main duties include data collection and input as well as the development of activities for youth visiting the museum.

Renee has a wealth of experience in customer service and thoroughly enjoys this role, as it allows her to meet and converse with the many national and international visitors. Hearing and learning about visitors' experiences and stories of historic events interests Renee, and she feels privileged they are happy to share their knowledge.
 
Renee was born and bred in Te Awamutu and still remembers visiting the museum often as a child. She recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Waikato and is currently completing a Masters degree in Science, specialising in earth sciences.