What drew you to working in a school environment, and what do you find most rewarding about your role at ºÚÁϳԹÏ?
My children and sport initially drew me to ºÚÁϳԹÏ. After 5 years coaching football and cricket (now 8 years), whilst running my own small business and spending significant hours travelling on the road, I was looking for change and felt I could offer something to either the Sport or Grounds/Maintenance departments of the school.
I find it extremely rewarding seeing gradual improvements in the facilities and grounds that we, as a team, are able to provide for the students, making them proud to be at ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï and then hopefully reflecting well on their school journey once they move beyond school life.
Tell us a bit about your journey. What led you to join the team at ºÚÁϳԹÏ?
I am Bowral born & bred, attending Bowral Primary & High School before attaining an International Diploma in Hotel Management. Before embarking on that career path, I spent 12 months in London playing semi-professional cricket in the Middlesex County League before heading to Edinburgh to work at the prestigious Balmoral Hotel for 8 months with my now wife, Kelly, who was gaining some very interesting teaching experience in both places as well.
On returning to Australia, I joined Rydges Hotels & Resorts for 10 years, managing accommodation hotels in Melbourne, Hobart and Sydney before relocating back to the Southern Highlands and extended family. After another stint in hotels and golf clubs, I started my own business supplying and installing real estate signage, whilst raising 2 incredible young humans with Kelly, who are now in Yr 10 and Yr 12 here at ºÚÁϳԹÏ.
I joined the team at ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï in 2024 and began the current journey, working hard to look after and improve the product that is ºÚÁϳԹÏ.
In your role, how do you hope you make a difference in students’ day-to-day experience at school?
My whole purpose, and that of the Grounds, Maintenance, Cleaning & Canteen teams here at ºÚÁϳԹÏ, is to put smiles on the students’ faces by ensuring those behind-the-scenes jobs are completed on time and to the set standard every time, including maintaining recess & lunch playground facilities, immaculate sporting facilities, clean functional classrooms, event setups and awesome fresh recess & lunch order production, just to mention a few.
It is enjoyable receiving positive feedback and watching students charge out on the ovals at recess & lunch with smiles on their faces, lunch in hand, enjoying a freshly mown football field….!
When you’re not at work, what are some things you enjoy doing or exploring?
Sport & family…..!
I love watching my kids enjoy sport and spending quiet time at home with the family.
