What drew you to working in a school environment, and what do you find most rewarding about your role at Oxley?
My children and sport initially drew me to Oxley College. 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 Oxley 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 Oxley College?
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 Oxley.
I joined the team at Oxley in 2024 and began the current journey, working hard to look after and improve the product that is Oxley College.
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 Oxley College, 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.
