Careers & Conversations

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN BUSINESS ADVISORY?

I will be celebrating 22 years working with RSM in November this year. I have spent all 22 of those years working in Business Advisory and almost all of them in Manjimup.

WHAT DID YOU DO PREVIOUSLY?

I had a couple of part time jobs before RSM. My family ran a local Retravision store which I worked in for a while. I also worked part time on the family horticultural farm.

WHAT LED YOU DOWN THIS PARTICULAR CAREER PATH?

My main influence into becoming an accountant was my year 11 and 12 accounting teacher - Miss Harris. I had never thought of accounting as a career until Miss Harris came into my life.

HOW HAS WORKING AT RSM HELPED YOU EXPRESS YOUR PERSONAL WORKING STYLE?

Working in Manjimup in a small office and leading the team for many years, you really get to decide the way you want to work. RSM and the Partners give you the flexibility to go at it your own way and develop your own style.

WHAT ARE THE MOST SATISFYING ASPECTS OF YOUR JOB?

I love solving problems for clients and getting them a solution. If you can ease the financial, mental, or physical burden for someone they are forever appreciative.

Overcoming adversity through growth…

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT PERSONAL ADVERSITY YOU HAVE FACED?

When I was going to university in Bunbury as a 19-year-old living by myself, it all became too much. I sort of had some sort of breakdown and walked out on university completely. I was out.

WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT BECAUSE OF THAT EXPERIENCE?

Mental health, in particular men’s mental health.

Mental health can be seen as this stigma that doesn’t get talked about. That’s especially true for men, and even more common for rural Australians.

HOW DO YOU EXPRESS THAT PASSION IN YOUR LIFE?

This passion of mine motivated me to become a Mental Health First Aid officer. I thought it would help me develop a skillset that I can use to break the stigma around talking about mental health in rural Australia and in male-dominated settings.

I also joined a group of like-minded fools for the Mates 500 Relay. We ran 1500kms around regional WA - from Wyalkathchem to Manjimup - to raise money and awareness for Men’s Mental Health.

During that time, we also spoke to many regional Western Australia about their real-life struggles living in isolated communities.

Living in Regional Australia…

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT WHERE YOU ARE NOW?

I love Manjimup. It’s a small country town with a lovely, small-knit community. I was born here, I grew up here, and I think it’s a great place to bring kids up. One of the great strengths of living in a small town is the sense of community -  you build great relationships inside and outside of work.

HAVE YOU LIVED IN OTHER PARTS OF AUSTRALIA?

I did spend 18 months in the big smoke of Bunbury, but I wouldn’t go back. You can’t get me to the city, too many people.

HOW HAS YOUR LIFE BEEN IMPACTED BY COVID-19?

Living in Small Little Manjimup, I really have to say that we really have been the lucky ones. A couple of weeks of working from home on our little patch of land wasn’t a bad experience. I suppose the worst impact we have had is that it has become a little bit difficult to get things delivered and ordered.

Personal life...

WHO HAS THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE IN YOUR LIFE?

Definitely my wife.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS YOU GET UP TO IN YOUR DAILY LIFE?

I like to get outside and potter around in the garden or the shed. I like to think of myself as a tradie and a farmer, but not very successfully as yet.

I have two children and spend a fair amount of time trying to contribute positively to their growth. To keep myself sane and somewhat healthy, I like to go for runs.

WHAT’S ONE THING YOU’RE CURRENTLY TRYING TO MAKE A HABIT?

I’m trying to get back into running on a daily basis. I’ve competed in the Blackwood Marathon for 10 years with the same group of guys. Our team is named Honey Badgers. If you’ve seen the meme video, you can probably guess what our team motto is!

WITH BORDERS OPENING, WHERE ARE YOU NEXT LOOKING AT GOING ON A HOLIDAY?

I’m currently planning a big European trip to occur in June/ July 2023.

 I’m really looking forward to being in Scotland to taste some whisky. I’m also looking forward to visiting Macedonia. My Mum’s family originated from a village in Macedonia, so I’d like to pay it a visit.

Last question!

WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF PROFESSIONAL ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?

You don’t know what you don’t know. Never be afraid to say I don’t know.