~ Ollie Clifton ~
Ph: 0273339252
ollie.clifton@aotearoaretreatcentre.org
The Aotearoa Retreat Centre project is a really nice combination of different strands of my life, and happily brings together pretty much all the things I love to do!
Professionally I've worked in several different areas, all revolving around the central theme of helping others with similar ideals and values to realise their dreams. Some notable professional highlights have been:
I've been closely involved in Ren Xue for over 15 years now, and actively teach and organise retreats and other events around the Christchurch area. I get a lot of satisfaction from the Ren Xue practices, the positive changes they have helped me with on so many levels, and hence being to help others make similar changes too. Each time I go to a Ren Xue retreat it's so amazing and inspiring to meet old friends and see how their lives have improved - I love the community support in this practice.
For me this Retreat Centre has the potential to be a leading light, a safe haven for humanity even, where rapid healing and deep life changes can happen. Having the opportunity to help coordinate the initial stages of the Retreat Centre project is very special.
Professionally I've worked in several different areas, all revolving around the central theme of helping others with similar ideals and values to realise their dreams. Some notable professional highlights have been:
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- Ten years working for Christchurch City Council in a number of Community Development and Community Recreation roles, working alongside a multitude of local community organisations to support those most in need. The roles involved supporting community organisations, and their staff and volunteers, to deliver their programmes, in typically low income neighbourhoods. I also took the opportunity to do a one-year work exchange to Calgary, Canada whilst doing this work.
- Five years working for New Zealand Alpine Club, as their Executive Officer. The perfect job for an avid outdoors enthusiast and lover of nature! The role encompassed managing a small team of 4 staff, and coordinating hundreds of volunteers, across diverse activities such as publications, events, travel insurance, instruction courses, and last but not least a network of 17 huts. It was via the work relating to huts where I got my first real taste of construction project management, and had the opportunity to be involved in the rebuilding of Unwin Lodge in Mt Cook Village.
- Eight years working in commercial construction project management for Sidera Consulting , working mainly on EQ repair and strengthening projects. Varied and stimulating work in the rough and tumble world of post-EQ Christchurch! The nature of the work gradually changed over the years from managing insurer-lead projects, to delivering our own projects as main contractor. My final project for Sidera was without a doubt the highlight; restoring and strengthening the P&D Duncan Building (Category 2 Historic Place).
- In the midst of my Sidera work, my partner Vanessa & I also took the opportunity to rebuild our old brick cottage, and replace it with a tiny house (well, 2 small cabins to be precise!). A wonderful experience which I highly recommend to anyone with an aspiration of building their own home. We both learnt a lot about buildings and construction as we slowly dismantled the old cottage (badly EQ damaged), and then embarked on our own "learn to build" programme as we put the cabins together, using as much recycled materials from the old cottage as we could.
I've been closely involved in Ren Xue for over 15 years now, and actively teach and organise retreats and other events around the Christchurch area. I get a lot of satisfaction from the Ren Xue practices, the positive changes they have helped me with on so many levels, and hence being to help others make similar changes too. Each time I go to a Ren Xue retreat it's so amazing and inspiring to meet old friends and see how their lives have improved - I love the community support in this practice.
For me this Retreat Centre has the potential to be a leading light, a safe haven for humanity even, where rapid healing and deep life changes can happen. Having the opportunity to help coordinate the initial stages of the Retreat Centre project is very special.