After leaving school and briefly working with my uncle as a plasterer, a friend recommended I apply for a job at the local Council (Moreton Shire Council) as a cadet draftsman. This was back in the days where drawings were hand drawn on big drafting tables. It was my job to unblock the pens, stencil in text, scrape off the mistakes with a scalpel and print and fold plans. I remember being amazed when CAD started and we stared at the plotter for hours as it whizzed around shooting paper back and forth, whirring and clicking picking up pens. Little did I know how that would start me off on such a rewarding career.
As my experience grew I started to learn how to evaluate problems and look for design solutions across a range of engineering disciplines before “roughing” it in the field collecting gravel and concrete samples and testing them in a soil laboratory. The range of experiences and practical knowledge proved a great foundation to my engineering career and I decided to take up an offer to become an engineering cadet and I moved into the water and sewage team designing watermains, sewer systems and pump stations. After eight years at Council and part time study (2 years Associate Diploma and 6 years Engineering Degree) I gained my degree and moved into a design consultancy where I worked for the next 19 years.
Working in consulting opened up many new challenges and my interest in stormwater began. As a graduate I worked with some great mentors who taught me how to undertake water balances, flood modelling, drainage design, water quality assessments, and Water Sensitive Urban Design. It was at this time I joined the Stormwater Industry Association. Since that time I have been involved in most aspects of the committee (membership, events, advocacy and conferences). Working with the committee over the years has been a wonderful experience as I have met some very knowledgeable, passionate, and engaging characters who all have an interest in stormwater.
I have worked on some large infrastructure projects (Awoonga Dam Raising, Port of Brisbane Motorway, Ipswich Motorway Upgrade) that have allowed me to challenge myself and grow professionally. All had technical issues to solve but perhaps more importantly, the dynamic between the various teams and disciplines was the most rewarding. This led me to explore a different aspect of water quality in erosion and sediment control. I gained my CPESC qualification and began applying my stormwater skills in a sightly new way.
More recently, I became a director with Strategic Environmental and Engineering Consulting (SEEC) based in Brisbane. This has opened up a new array of challenges and opportunities to learn and grow.
Outside of my work life, I am married with three teenage children and enjoy travelling with my wife and family. I play and coach cricket and feel lucky to have played senior cricket with both my sons. I have attended dance classes with my daughter…embarrassing her and myself on multiple occasions. I support the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs (I started watching league well before the Broncos came on the scene), enjoy boating (my 3 metre tinnie!) and fishing, and spending time with family.
The stormwater industry encompasses a wide variety of issues. I look forward to the committee widening our focus and continue to engage our members on all stormwater related topics.
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