Biography

My life experience has taken me on several paths and on some occasions in two directions at the same time.

This has made me a stronger person and has forged who I am to others.

You can pick out which of the following is most important to you, and use it in whichever way best suits your biographical reference for me. I do hope you get a better understanding as to the immense value it is in hearing another person speak of themselves in the hope that it enacts positive change in others.

I was born and raised in Sydney, Australia growing up in the central and leafy southern suburbs until the age of 17. My parents are both of Scottish heritage and a consistent work ethic played a large part in all we did as children faced with challenges which were swiftly resolved and positively engineered to achieve success in all that we did as a family.

On my eighteenth birthday I moved to Alstonville, north coast NSW Australia to attend the northern College of Advanced Education undertaking a Land Management & Conservation Advanced Diploma.

Six months later saw me re-enrolled to my parents relief in a Diploma of Applied Sciences at the New England TAFE College with most units undertaken via the laboratories on the New England University Campus. Bio-chemistry, agronomy, parisitology, electron microscopy…..

I throroughly enjoyed my 18 months of study there punctuated with one life changing decision. On semester break, bored, and on the news that my girlfriend at the time was visiting her parents in Perth, Western Australia, over four thousand kilometres away….. I decided to “hitch” my way there. Two weeks later I arrived to the news that I was to be a Father. Phew……what a grounding piece of information.

Returning to Sydney with my fiance we made home in the western suburbs of Sydney and I spent 12 months of night shift driving forklifts, trucks and managing small financial nightmares concurrently. The decision to return to Bunbury Western Australia and study at Edith Cowan University led to my seperation from my eldest daughter’s mother and I spent four years struggling through a degree which again I loved doing. On completion with Distinction I enrolled in an Associate Degree in Performing & Visual Arts graduating with a swag of academic tuition to survive my way through.

My Lecturer’s were absolutely inspirational as have many of my mentors in this learning journey.

I survived on student loans, working with the Department of Community Services and selling my art works in various group and succesful solo exhibitions. In 1996 I was awarded the inaugural early childhood position as Pre-school teacher at Bunbury Community School which was my induction by fire into the education sector. I learnt much and completed the year with gusto.

After an unsuccessful attempt to open a small gallery in a commercial venture in late 1996 I moved to Perth, Western Australia and worked for a year with a friend in the Horticulture industry before enrolling in a Visual Arts Degree with some exemptions at Curtin University, Western Australia. A florid and eventful four years part-time study saw me attain my degree and entry to the Honours Degree which after two years saw me graduate again with Distinctions.

My breadth and scope of creative reference were broadened immeasurably and during this time I managed to attain work as an online lecturer with Open Learning Australia in the Creative Arts area begining my use of open sourced learning management systems online.

During this time I aslo worked as an Education Officer with the Department of Family & Community Services, with the Ministry of Justice, with ATAS Indigenous Education Tutoring for Adults and continued my professional art career outside of college with success. It was around this time that I began teaching myself in earnest the use of online learning tools and website design. Many late nights I can assure you………

I was accepted into the Doctorate of Creative Arts program then after much angst resumed life as a Vocational Education lecturer in various locations. Perhaps I’ll be pursue that line of study when there’s less life responsibilities to accomplish.

In late 1997 I met the mother of my second daughter and was graced with my gorgeous second child in 1998 ……and again a swag of responsibilities. I lived and worked in Perth, Western Australia travelling extensively throughout all of Australia over the next five years conducting projects as Facilitator funded primarily by the Australian Flexible Learning Framework. Concurrently I worked as a travelling Lecturer working with Indigenous communities as far afield as Meekatharra and Parnngurr in the Great Sandy Desert.

I was invited to speak as keynote and guest speaker at literally hundreds of workshops, conferences etc. during this time between work commitments.

My interest in mobile learning, e-learning and the use of ICT’s in education led to roles as Research and Project Officer requiring me to travel extensively. The pressures of travel began to tell and my health suffered as did my relationships with others.

In 2003 - 2004 I took time out to work in the building & contruction industry in Perth waterproofing and doing general high-rise construction work until the seperation with my second life partner. I then lived and worked in Perth with another partner and step-son until my decision to move back to Sydney motivated by aging parents and other life decisions.

Somewhere between that time I managed to travel around the world to Hong Kong, Lodon, Paris, Spain and countless other places too beautiful to believe true. That world trip in 2005 inspired me to realise my dreams of making base and courting the positive possibility that I’d be re-visiting many global locations in the future.

My eldest daughter stayed put in Bunbury, my second daughter moved to Melbourne and I began working with TAFE NSW Centre For Learning Innovation in Sydney in late 2005-2006 as Special Projects Officer. Shortly after I was awarded the position as Project Officer with NSW LearnScope, a professional development project of epic proportions funded by the Australian Flexible Learning Framework and managed by the International Centre for Vocational Education and Training (ICVET), Oxford Street, Sydney Australia.

I began actively co-joining electronic arts, visual arts, web design , project Facilitation and project Management with the use of social networking technologies. This it seems is the perfect balance for me keeping my research into the use of ICT’s active, contributing to the community and engaging with global discourse in the empowerment of others using networked learning and creativity from the studio online and off.

Two incredibly busy years followed from 2006 - 2008 during which I met my life partner Jane and a subsequent move to Orange, NSW Australia. I Facilitated and co-managed what seemed to be countless projects and funding rounds for VET teachers and associated industry sectors during this time as well as mentoring many others in their efforts to engage learners.

Life has graced me with three children and my amazing son was born in August 2007.

I now travel extensively, network profusely and spend long periods of quality time ( where possible ) with my extensive and immediate family. I consider myself to be a Consultant, an Educator and Artist with a passion for realising timely creations for clients from diverse backgrounds with strict project milestones and harnessing a negotiable and where possible globally open process. The advantages in doing so are in-numerable.

I have a studio, an office and a lifestyle here in Orange that beats no other I’ve known. I use online platforms extensively to communicate with others and co-manage projects, meet with clients or undertake academic roles for organisations.

I’m happy and I hope this extends into your decision to employ me in your projects and include me in your networks.

I look forward to your contact.