Straight out of High school I applied for a job with a major window furnishing retailer, never believing I would get the job, but I got it and I absolutely loved it as it was such a challenge. After working in retail for many years I transitioned into the window furnishing wholesale market. 

It was there that training retailers became a large part of my responsibilities, travelling around the country delivering anything from one on one training to larger scale structured training. After many years experience and a brief hiatus Frontline Academy approached me offering me the role of a lifetime. Through them I gained my Certificate III in Blinds, Awnings, Security screens and Grilles and the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment that allowed me to eventually become the Lead Trainer for the program in Victoria.

Over the last 5 years I have developed as a trainer of not only Apprentices but also of other Trainers. A very recent highlight for me was participating in presenting to a large group of 88 Apprentices their Certificate III in Blinds and Awnings in a dedicated graduation ceremony attended not only by industry leaders, but by members of the Australian Federal Government who fully support our training initiatives.

I started in the window furnishing industry in 1995, with a manufacturing business in Christchurch, New Zealand. Starting in the despatch area, I moved quickly into operating 15mm venetian slatting machines, then as an installer, installing roller blinds and venetian blinds. After moving to Australia, I worked in production management roles and as a contract installer, and then owned and ran my own business, operating in sales, manufacturing and installation. 

Combining my experience and knowledge gained in the dairy farming industry, finance industry, window furnishings manufacturing, sales, installation, and business ownership, I have gained a very diverse, and extensive knowledge base which is backed by hands on experience, to pass on to businesses and students.

My first involvement with Frontline was at the BMAA Blinds SuperExpo in 2019. I was keen to get my staff and myself qualified, gain better problem-solving techniques, assist with more consistent quality standards in line with industry guidelines, and gain some knowledge and experience from experienced trainers. All of which the Certificate III Blinds, Awnings, Security Screens and Grilles, offers.

During my training in Certificate III Blinds, Awnings, Security Screens and Grilles, I realized that training/qualifying students is a great way to support the industry, by improving knowledge, improving quality and improved skills. 

Frontline supported me in completing my Certificate IV Training and Assessment, after which my confidence and skills grew. Now, I enjoy visiting my students, and businesses, passing on my knowledge, seeing them grow in confidence, challenging themselves while doing things they never thought they could do. Seeing the sense of achievement when a student gets to the end and graduates is a very rewarding moment. 

I started in the Window Furnishings industry as a junior sales rep in the late 90’s, selling blind and awning components, and machinery. My boss at the time insisted that I learn to use the products that we sold, so there I learned to make slimline Venetian blinds using a hand crank machine to crown the slats, a single hand punch to punch the head rails, and route holes etc, and the same methodology was used teach me about all the other products that we sold.

From the junior sales role, I was lucky enough to progress into sales management, then senior management and business ownership. In the early 2000’s one of the businesses in which I had a management role started making and selling security screens and doors, and I learned about these following once again the same process, from the base level methodologies as my previous boss so wisely insisted on.

I have always thought the noblest professions were, Healers, Defenders, Farmers and Educators, and the Certificate 111 in Blinds, Awnings, Security Screens and Grilles, has given me a great opportunity to pass on what I have learned. Rabindranath Tagore once said that 'A teacher can never truly teach unless he is still learning himself'.  A lamp can never light another lamp unless it continues to burn its own flame.

…  So I can honestly say, while I am passing on my knowledge, my knowledge increases daily, as my students teach me.