I have always been interested in the outdoor, nature and the environment. This interest was further re-enforced when I became a Scout Leader. But my direct involvement in conservation and environmental work only happened recently. At the end of 2001 due to the downturn of the telecommnication industry, Ericsson Sweden decided to close their Research and Development Centre in Melbourne resulting in my job becoming redundant. May be it was a blessing in disguise because that forced me out of my comfort zone and I had to re-access my life and look at other options and opportunities.

During this period of newly acquired "freedom" I decided to do a course on Small Business Management to keep busy and also to improve my financial knowledge. It so happened one of my classmates was working in the conservation and environment area and she told me one of the best ways to become involved and to learn about the conservation and environment area is to do some volunteer work. That was the catalyst I needed. That evening I searched the Internet and found Conservation Volunteers Auatralia (CVA). I was particularly interested in their Better Earth conservation projects and the Green Reserve Program. I became a volunteer with both of these programs.

Over a short span of 6 months my interest in environmental and conservation work has increased significantly. Early 2005 I decided to obtain a formal qualification in this area by embarking on a full-time Environmental Management Course specialising in natural areas restoration. It was a six month course, very intensive but at the same time very interesting and challenging. I completed the course at the end of June 2005. On the final day the whole class including our teachers had a picnic by the beach at La Perouse, Sydney. See Class 2005 Photo.