Work | Life Balance at Shand Thomson
Shand Thomson endeavours to strike a balance between providing team members with interesting and challenging work that enables professional growth and supports opportunities for social interaction.
While working towards achieving your goals, at Shand Thomson you will have access to:
Stimulating Work
Our core work is providing services to the farming sector, agri-business community and related supporting industries, such as:
- financial reports
- management reports
- budgets & monitoring
- farming & business trends
- succession planning
- feasibility studies
- business plans
- funding applications
- IT & systems
Interesting Clients
Our clients are located in the Clutha District, Otago area and beyond (Australia, UK, Canada and Asia). The activities of our clients includes:
- farming (sheep, beef, deer and dairy)
- retail & trades
- hospitality & tourism
- agricultural contracting
- forestry & transportation
- healthcare
- education
- investing
Life With Us
We embrace opportunities to celebrate success and foster regular social occasions. Our activities typically include:
| The "Figs n Wigs" mid year function for local accountants and solicitors. The theme was "Blast from the Past" which provided plenty of scope for the attendees to dress up. |   |
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A 'hands on' Master Chef evening was held at the Otago Polytechnic teaching kitchen in 2011 whereby delicious italian inspired cuisine was created then consumed. Many thanks to Judith Cullen and her team of helpers. |
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Jim Johnstone (left) congratulates Brendan Morrison, Dairy Trainee winner at the recent 2011 Otago Region Dairy Industry Awards. Blake Korteweg (right) won the 2010 Dairy Trainee Award. |
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The Kaka Point Surf Life Saving Club bridge to beach event held annually in March. The 21km distance can be cycled, run or walked. A number of team members complete the challenge each year. |
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Gaye Cowie was co-chair of the committee organising the Gabriel's Gully Goldrush 150th celebrations during Anniversary Weekend in March 2011. Gold was discovered near Lawrence in 1861. |
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| Several years ago some Shand Thomson team members worked on a Saturday to donate their time (totaling $1,770) to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal. |  |
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| The annual office summer BBQ was held in January. Many of our team members, their partners and family enjoyed the hospitality at one of the directors homes. |  |
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| Some of the male team members grew various styles of facial hair in response to the 2010 national Movember campaign to raise awareness for men's health issues. |  |
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| Many of our team members supported Loud Shirt Day in September 2010. This is an annual fundraising campaign to provide cochlear implants and hearing aids for children. Funds are donated to The Hearing House and the Southern Cochlear Implant Paediatric Programme. |
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| A social club "Las Vegas" themed casino evening was held for team members and their partners. Winnings earned from the roulette and backgammon tables were used for the end of evening mystery auction. Items purchased were hilarious and included mystery weekend (maps), meal voucher (two minute noodles) and more of the same. |  |
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| In July 2009 social club went curling at Gore. Although harder than it first appeared, a really enjoyable night was had by all, with lots of fun, laughs and a few spills on the ice for some of the less sure footed amongst us! Afterwards the team enjoyed an excellent meal at Casa Bella restaurant, and then it was back on the bus bound for Balclutha |  |
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| A christmas function for team members, spouses and children. The 2008 function was held at Balclutha's Naish park. Santa distributed gifts to children and team members. Children were entertained by clowns and games. The adults relaxed and enjoyed a light lunch and drinks in the park. |  |
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Festivities to celebrate the completion of projects. Celebrating the completion of our Dunedin office rennovations in November 2008 is a very good example of this. The Dunedin office team of Li, Lauren and Maree hosted the celebrations. |
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The Balclutha office team was taken by bus to Dunedin where drinks and nibbles were enjoyed at the newly rennovated Westpac building premises. This was followed by a guided tour of the Dunedin Chinese Gardens and the day was completed with dinner at the Customhouse Restaurant. |
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Out of office training days where challenges and excursions have included:
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The Shand Thomson social committee organises a variety of events each year. Typical activities include:
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Shand Thomson traditionally organise a mid-year social function as a way of expressing appreciation to team members and their partners. The 2008 mid-year Shand Thomson event was a "Pacific Theme" dinner, followed by music and dancing, hosted by the Rosebank Lodge in Balclutha. Our team members, and their partners, took full advantage of the theme and dressed accordingly! |
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The Shand Thomson team were lucky recipients of a pie-tasting hosted by The Wild Walnut (a well known cafe in Lawrence, famous for their home-style baking).
The owners, Sue and Jim, are developing a range of special treats that will be available to the public during the Lawrence 150 year centenary celebrations in 2011. |
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The practice supports local and national community events, such as "Push Play" day organised by Sport Clutha. "Push Play" day is designed to encourage community awareness about the benefits of exercise. Team members have been involved in activities such as tennis, croquet and river walks.
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Shand Thomson participated in Loud Shirt Day in September 2008 whereby team members wearing "loud" shirts made donations to support The Hearing House and the Southern Cochlear Implant Paediatric Programme.
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