The Coleridge Downs team

Managers 

Tony and Pam Plunkett

General Manager

Tony has been the General Manager at Coleridge Downs for 15 years, coming from a very strong management career on large progressive properties.Tony has driven and developed the Cadet training programme from the start, he has an amazing passion and drive to lead his team to achieve excellent results.Pam is a very important part of the team,  Pam works away in the background supporting Tony and assisting with many staff activities and functions.Tony and Pam have 4 adult sons, Tom -local Sheep Contractor. Will and Renee - Austrailia.  Ben and Sam - Casual Stock Manager, Oliver - Machinery Operator/Trainee Pilot

  Coleridge Downs   Manager  

Reece Cleland

Reece has been in the manager's role at Annavale for 10 years,  after working nearby at Quartz Hill. Reece has now moved over to Coleridge Downs in 2022 with is Wife Mel and family

Big Ben Station Block Manager 

Charlie Johns
Charlie came to Big Ben in winter 2023, with his Wife Annie and children Amelia and Arthur.Charlie comes from previous management positions in the Mackezie Country and Glenthorne Station

Dry Acheron Block Manager 

Troy Barrell

Troy joined the Coleridge Downs team in 2021 to become Dry Acheron - Block Manager.After graduating from Lincoln, Troy spent time on some progressive farms in North Canterbury, latter managing an intensive breeding/ finishing block near Kirwee - Central Canterbury Plains

Annavale

 Manager

Tim Sowman

Tim joined the Coleridge Downs team in 2021 to become Block Manager of Coleridge Downs. Then Moved to Annavale in 2022.Tim previously managed a large property in the Lees Valley then worked around Marlborough before coming to us.

Senior Specialist Staff

Kristen O'Callaghan 

Training Manager

Kristen works full time at Coleridge Downs primarily as the Training Manager and General Farm Support where necessary. Kristen is responsible for the running of the Cadet Training Program alongside Tony and our Board Sub Committee. Kristen also takes care of the pastoral care of each and every cadet. Kristen often works alongside the cadets, assisting senior staff in the practical training and support of cadets. Kristen has been involved in the development of the Cadet Training Program over the past 8 yearsKristen comes from a strong career in farming and has a passion for seeing young people achieving and succeeding in our industry.

2IC- Coleridge Downs Block

Kelsie Meads

Kelsie joined the team early 2023 to assist Reece as 2IC at Coleridge Downs.Kelsie came from Hawkes BayKelsie is a keen netballer.

Fencer General 

Alex Smedley

Alex and his family moved to Coleridge Downs about 16 +  years ago from a long career of farming in the upper North Island.

Tractor Manager

Ashley Williams 

Ash has been at Coleridge Downs for 20 odd years. Ash has seen a lot of changes and development within the Company. 

Administrator

Cindy Mackenzie

Cindy has been Administrator at Coleridge downs for 9 years. Cindy is often working away in the office or remotely and plays a huge part of the Company. 

Cook

Shelley FrewShelley and Duncan have been with us at Coleridge Downs since 2020They live at the cookshop with thier son Corey and take care of feeding our hungry cadets

2024 Cadets 

Second year cadets

Mitchell Morton

Mitch comes form Gore and attended John McGlashan College in Dunedin where he was a keen 1XV, player and rep rugby player for for Otago and Southland.

 

Jack Hamilton

Jack comes from the Hawkes Bay where he attended Lindisfarne College, Jack is also a very keen  Rugby Player and keen horse rider.

Alexa Gunson

Alexa comes from the Hawkes Bay where her family farm there.

Alexa attended Whanganui Collegiate.

Alexa has just earned her Duke of Edenborough award, and keen on hunting and horse-riding wherever possible.

Lucy Moffatt

Lucy comes from Okuku North Canterbury, where her family farm and run a contracting Business.

Lucy enjoys  hunting and horse-riding out and about when she can.

First year cadets

Georgia Hurunui 


Georgia comes from Opotiki where she helped her Grandfather and Mum on the family farm throughout her childhood. Georgia enjoys any sport possible that suits her at the time from under water hockey to rugby.

Georgia loves the great outdoors and also enjoys training her heading pup during her spare time.


Jack Dempsey


Jack comes from central Auckland where he came from a strong background of rugby at St Kentigans College.

Jack plays rugby for the local rugby club in Darfield and also enjoying exploring the great outdoors at Coleridge Downs and training his heading pup in his spare time.


Angus Murray


Angus comes from the shores of Lake Tekapo where his family farm at Glenmore Station, Angus attended Timaru Boys High School. 

Angus plays rugby for our local Rugby Club at Darfield, and enjoys the great outdoors at Coleridge Downs and training his heading pup in his spare time.


Jake Thacker


Jake comes from Banks Peninsula where his family farm at Okains Bay. Jake attended Christchurch Boys High School, enjoys playing Rugby for the local Rugby Club for Darfield, hunting, water sports and training his heading pup in his spare time. 


Annavale- Junior Shepherd

Jack Thomas

Jack comes from Nelson, previously his parents managed the Rainbow Station and Mt Arrowsmith.

Jack joined the crew in December 2023

Jack enjoys horses and keen on some farrier work in his spare time.