The Joe Family

THE JOE FAMILY – Adrian, Mervyn,  Patricia (Trisha) and Steve

A family of high achievers both academically and on the sports field.

ADRIAN 1963-1967

On leaving school with top results in School Cert, University Entrance and Higher SC, Adrian headed to Massey University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science in 1972.  He is also a member of the Australasian College of Veterinary Science specialising in Pharmacology.  Adrian started work in 1973 in Te Awamutu (Hurst and Stewart Veterinarians), then returned to join the Matamata Veterinary Services practice for 20 years.  Adrian then set up his own consultancy business for a couple of years.  From 1998 to 2008 he worked in Auckland at Pfizer Animal Health.  Currently Adrian travels and is Team Leader of Vetent Te Awamutu and PureMilk Mastitis Consultancy.

Throughout his working life he has travelled extensively for work and pleasure to China, Canada, US, UK and Europe and Australia.

Like all the “Joe’s” sport has played a big part in Adrian’s life.  Way back (1961) as an Under 12 year old softball player Adrian played for Waikato and their team were the New Zealand champions.  The following year he captained the same team.

Table Tennis became a passion for Adrian.  In 1967 he won the NZ Junior Table Tennis singles and doubles championships and the North Island Junior championship in all three events – singles, doubles and mixed.  For many years Adrian played tennis and their business house team with Dennis (brother, deceased) and Adrain’s wife Arlene, were the team to beat!

Adrian developed an appetite for Ironman.  After much training he completed the NZ full-length Ironman in 1991 and that same year competed and completed the Hawaii Ironman.  As well, he has three marathons to his name and three times completed the round Taupo cycle race.  He has never got over his passion for running and when he finds time manages to play golf and enjoys mountain biking.

Adrian’s three children are all high achievers.  Aaron (Primary School Teacher), Katie (Pharmacist) and Daniel (Secondary School Teacher).  Arlene and Adrian still live in Matamata and enjoy being grandparents to four grandies!

MERVYN 1966-1970

Mervyn left school in 1970 with School Certificate, University Entrance and Higher School Certificate and headed to Auckland University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce.

He has an extensive work history in the field of commerce.

1971-1981                             Fisher and Paykel Accountant

1982-1985                             Eli Lily Pharmaceuticals and Elizabeth Arden Cosmetics Financial Controller

1985-1987                             Woolrest Financial Controller

1987-1995                             Transmark Corporation Financial Controller

1995-present                        Self-employed Bizco Chartered Accountants

At school Mervyn played rugby but later in life he has participated in individual sports.  Now his sporting life mirrors that of brother Adrain.  Mervyn has six marathons to his name and twice he has completed the round Taupo cycle race.  On three occasions Mervyn has completed the NZ Ironman – 1994, 1999, 2004.  Presently he enjoys swimming and jogging.

Mervyn is married to Pamela and their three grown up children all have interesting occupations.  Kimberley is a self-employed dance teacher, Courtney is self-employed logistics and Jamie is a business analyst.

PATRICIA (Trisha)               1967-1971

Trisha was Head Girl in 1971 and like the Joe kids before her completed all her exams with top grades.  On leaving school Trisha gained a Diploma of Pharmacy and later trained as a natural therapist (AACNEM ).  She qualified in 1975 and for seven year managed the urgent Pharmacy in South Auckland before purchasing her own Pharmacy in Karangahape Road where she practiced for 21 years.  While working in Karangahape Road Trisha completed her training as a natural therapist in complementary medicine.

Trisha has a passion for travel – she has travelled extensively for years and loves meeting new people and experiencing different cultures.

Now Trisha and her husband Robin run a busy bed and breakfast business on Waiheke Island (www.heartsongretreat.co.nz) for nine months of the year and for the winter months they do volunteer work in Vietnam.  Their work includes teaching English, helping disabled women in their workshops, sponsorship of girls and orphans, schools and kindergartens and also helping with medical expenses.  They also sponsor a family in India and attempt to get there every two years.

Trisha loves swimming and her greatest achievement is completing the Auckland Harbour swims – the biggest challenge being Rangitoto Island to St Heliers Bay (4.6km).

Her other hobbies include yoga, organic gardening and cooking.

STEPHEN JOE                          1969-1973

Number five “Joe” Steve, academic and sportsman.  Steve left school in 1973 and headed for Auckland University where he graduated with a BHB, MB ChB, Dip Obst, FRNZCGP AND ICAK – in other words he completed a number of degrees and diplomas in medicine!

Steve has had various positions throughout the country including:

1979                            House Surgeon Hastings memorial Hospital

1980-81                       Waikato Hospital House Surgeon and SHO

1982                            GP Locum

1985- Present             General Practice Partner Ngaruawahia Medical Centre

2008- Present             Dr Steve Joe Integrative medicine Private Practice Hamilton

Steve is the only dual qualified GP/Applied Kinesiologist in New Zealand.  Presently he is kept very busy working in his GP practice and in Integrative Practice.

This is Steve’s philosophy to Wellness.

All too often, we take our health for granted until something happens.

Isn’t it funny that the machine we most rely on (our bodies) is the least that we spend time on maintaining. We throw at it all sorts of insults in the form of processed food, alcohol, environmental toxins and lack of exercise hoping that it will cope and that nothing bad will happen- it always happens to someone else.

Isn’t it funny that we regularly get our car serviced and maintained because we recognise that in the long run we are saving ourselves money and heartache, and yet we do not treat our most valuable machine, our bodies with that same respect.

He still finds time to keep fit, playing tennis and is active in TaiChi. (His mother’s passion!)

Steve and Miriam’s grown up family – Ryan (27) Project Manager Telecom;  Amanda (25) Accountant KPMG; Nicole (22) Lab Technician DEC International,

Dennis (Denny) fondly known to everyone in Matamata as the Fruit and Vege man who took over the shop from his parents, unfortunately passed away five years ago.  His two children Llanyon and Michaela both attended Matamata College.  Llanyon (always the actor) is a teacher and performer! and Micheala, his daughter, lives in Brisbane and is a HR consultant.

Nellie, their mother, still lives in Matamata and enourages many folks to take up her passion of TaiChi.