Spotlight On...

Chris Ryan

Chris is a new member of the RIC team and is based in Gympie.

The RIC supports me in my role by … Providing teamwork, leadership & open communication

Something people might not know about me is … I used to be skinny

My guiltiest pleasure is …FOOD

Three people I’d like to invite to dinner … Rosanna Natoli , Robyn Williams, Thurston Moore

The best advice my parents gave me was … Do as I say, not as I do

If I were a super hero my special power would be … super metabolism

If I could eat only one thing for the rest of my life it would be … haloumi

If I had a million dollars, the thing I would do first is … Divide it among family and friends

My secret talent is … Karaoke

A song I don’t want played at my funeral is … Tears in Heaven

My favourite book is … Black Like Me: John Howard Griffin

The last book I read was … Toyota Car Manual

My passion in life is … Music

Spotlight On...

Peter Brown

I was born in Charleville, west Queensland, and grew up on a remote sheep property north-west of Quilpie. I had an idyllic life in that adventure filled environment, being the first of the third generation born there and with family on other properties “nearby”. My primary schooling was by correspondence and my mother was a very committed home supervisor (for me and of the 5 children who followed). My large extended family has a commitment to education and this provided me with a terrific start to life and an enduring interest in study and life-long learning, which I have fostered in my own children.

The best advice my parents gave me was – well, here are just three of the dozens from which I could choose:
o If you can’t say anything kind, it’s best to say keep your mouth shut (paraphrased) (Mum)
o Keep your speech and writing as brief and to the point as possible (Dad)
o Loads always work forward (Dad).

My secret talent is my knowledge of classical Greek obtained during one of my uni degrees. Actually, it hasn’t really been that secret because I’ve put the knowledge to good effect in whatever job I’ve had, especially the present one, believe it or not.

Here are the last three that impressed me! They are:
o Hearts Grown Brutal: Roger Cohen
o Tito and the Rise and Fall of Yugoslavia: Richard West
o A History of Europe: J.M. Roberts

In my spare time, some of it at least, I must finally admit that I regularly consort with other, like-minded, consenting, minimally clothed adults of both genders. Meaning of course that I like to swim - laps, distance, triathlons, whatever. In my distant youth I was a pool and surf competitor but also swam in marathons like the Magnetic Island swim, and I am still reasonably fast, which is important to me.

The RIC supports me in my role by fostering learning in students. In 1972, the Kangan Report dramatically changed the way technical education in Australia would operate. TAFE’s would now not just be there for technical education (e.g. apprenticeships) but also for adults, the community and also for groups of people who struggle because of various reasons. In other words, second chance education. It’s a tough environment out there nowadays. Money is short, but we are all aware that TAFE is still about helping people to get ahead in life by gaining important skills and knowledge. In other words, TAFE is about people and it is the staff of the RIC, much more than the facilities themselves could, who fill the gap by being friendly, people centred, and connecting staff, students and resources. That is what is most important to me about the RIC.

Spotlight On...

 

Paul Cate

Three people I’d like to invite to dinner … John F Kennedy, Robin Williams, My Beautiful Wife, Karen

The best advice my parents gave me was … “don’t pat burning dogs” – Ok seriously  - my father said “ I don’t care what you do as long as it makes you happy” – 40 years later, I only just realised that you cant be happy all the time – so I take a leaf from Billy Joel’s modification of this – “as long as your content”

If I had a million dollars, the thing I would do first is … Invest – live off the interest!

The last book I read was … Contract Law – Prof Des Butler; Current Book : Conflict Management. A Practical Guide to Developing Negotiation Strategies- Corvette

My passion in life is … People, Sailing, Learning something new, Problem solving

If I could be anyone for a day I would be … "the King, Its good to be the King!"

The one thing in life I couldn’t live without is … Karen & Eliza

The colour fruit tingle I enjoy the most is … Orange – however, that was a long long time ago!

My first set of wheels was … My first wheels was a pedal car: First Car was: Mini Minor – Hot Brick! Yes I did fit…

My first job was … Apprentice Motor Mechanic

Do you have any strange phobias? Arachnophobia, (have you seen that new ad for Australia day clean up.. Eeeuuuwww…!  & vertigo

What gives you goosebumps? Great talent, being in Awe of others – hearing ‘Intermezzo’ from Rusticana (had it playing when during Eliza’s birth – I still get a tear of joy) or Spartacus by Khachaturian.  Skippering a 50ft Grand Prix Yacht, with a crew of 15, on a broad reach, Kite drawing, catching a wave, accelerating down the face, and hearing the whole 10 Tonnes humming in a harmonic as she exceeds max hull speed. Surviving a knock down in Bass Strait.

When do you think the world will end? When I’m finished having fun!

Do you believe Wikipedia is always right? Its been researched to be more correct than the Oxford English Dictionary – even though its not always peer reviewed – great starting point for any research.

What makes you bored?  (frustrated) – People inflicted with the disease of “decision paralysis” aka – the “slacker gene” and those how believe that avoiding conflict, is the best way to resolve problems!

Who was the last person you hugged?  Karen, this morning!   Is hugging allowed at work now ?

The RIC supports me in my role... Together we will be changing the culture of staff and their application of Copyright and usage of Resource Bank… :-)  (who groaned?)

Spotlight On...

 Jeff

Morris

Jeff is the Automotive teacher in Maryborough. In between teaching apprentices and pre-vocational students, Jeff loves nothing more than doing a bit of RPL! He has been with WBIT for nearly 3 years and full-time in Maryborough for just over 1 of those years. 

Three people I would like to invite to dinner... Eddie Vedder, Ross Brawn and Casey Stoner

If I had a million dollars, the thing I would do first is... Pay off my house (how boring!!!) 

My favourite book is... The Power of One

The last book I read was...  Eat Pray Love  

My passion in life... Is my kids

My first set of wheels was... Impounded by the Police

I was born in... Mt Isa

My favourite sport is... Soccor

My first job was... Kitchen Hand

In my spare time I like to...  Spare time???? I have kids!

The RIC supports my role by... always smiling at me and helping with my strange requests!

Spotlight On...

Mark Hoyes

My favourite book is... Anything by Robert Barrett

My first set of wheels was... A 1956 100E Prefect, it wasn’t much but I sure enjoyed the independence that old car gave me.

In my spare time I like to... Spend time with my family and try to go fishing.  Lawn Bowls is my current social/sporting interest.

  

My first job was... 

My first job after completing school was an apprentice Electrical fitter/mechanic at Golden Circle Cannery.  That job led me to where I am today teaching Electrical Apprentices at Wide-Bay TAFE.  

If I had a million dollars, the thing I would do first is... Re-evaluate early retirement and start looking at new caravans.  I guess the kids are off to boarding school.

The RIC supports my role by... In recent times I have been required to teach at both our Maryborough and Bundaberg campuses and as a result of this, I have had to deal with RIC staff at both locations.

The RIC staff members are always a pleasure to deal with.  Nothing is ever a trouble.  They are a committed team with a common focus on customer service, internal and external, ensuring the student's learning is the primary outcome.

Spotlight On...

Cherie O'Rourke

Cherie's role within the RIC team is that of Serials Officer and is known to some as the Periodical Princess.  She responsible for ordering and renewing, accessioning, end processing, claiming missed/damaged copies, payment of invoices, serial data entry on Spydus, our library software program and production of reports for budget purposes. 

Cherie says it keeps her busy and 'off the streets' and she loves it!

a bit about Cherie...

I was born in... Marrickville, a suburb of Sydney.

My first job was... a high school teacher of science and maths.

My favourite food is... cheese.

My favourite part of the day is... sunset.

My guiltiest pleasure is... a glass of white wine.

If I were a superhero, my special powers would be... to be invisible.

The best advice my parents gave me was... always live within your means.

If I had a million dollars, the first thing I would do is... retire.

The RIC supports me in my role by... being a great team of good people.

Julia Gannon

Julia is the faculty co-ordinator for retail in Bundaberg and Retail Vocational Training Area Chair. The retail team consists of two staff in Hervey Bay and two in Brisbane. Brisbane staff train ALDI trainees.  

Julia is the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) specialist for the retail area and has clients throughout Queensland. She also has an ongoing client base in Bundaberg with businesses that refer their staff to her for RPL. Most of the RPL candidates are seeking a Certificate IV or Diploma in Retail Management. Julia also works with the School Links group and the Certificate II students on Campus.

Julia says...

I was born in… Sydney.

My first set of wheels was… VW Beetle

Three people I’d like to invite to dinner… Johnny Depp, Nelson Mandela and my daughter.

If I was a superhero, my special power would be… Flying with my cape billowing behind me.

My favourite part of the day is… Sunset, because it reflects on the ocean and the water becomes a shimmering pink.

The RIC supports me in my role by… assisting my students to gain access to my.TAFE and researching new DVDs to use in class. They are always friendly and helpful and I appreciate their excellent customer service.

Spotlight On...

Lynn Trigwell

Lynn is the Institute Disability Officer responsible for supporting students who have a disability while they are studying at Wide Bay TAFE. Her role is to provide a confidential service & advocacy for enrolled students, co-ordinate specific services such as study supports/ adaptive equipment & to advise staff on disability issues.

Lynn says...

The one thing in life I couldn’t live without is… My iPhone.

My favourite food is… Chocolate.

My favourite holiday destination is… Northern Territory.

Three people I’d like to invite to dinner… The Dalai Lama, Dame Edna Everage, Dawn French.

The best advice my parents gave me was… Always treat people as you would like to be treated.

The RIC supports me in my role by… Providing research information on training packages & access of disability resources as well as providing a significant team environment in which I feel valued & supported.

Spotlight On...

Welcome to the RICs first "Spotlight On..." feature!

This feature will introduce fun facts and information about staff, services and the local areas that make up Wide Bay TAFE.

Corrie McColl

Corrie was previously based at our Bundaberg Campus. He has now moved to manage daily activities at our Gympie Campus and to engage with the Gympie business and community to foster training relationships and to build business.




Corrie says...

My secret talent is... trying to master the bass guitar. Slowly!

My first car was... a 1966 Valiant

The one thing in life I couldn't live without... My wife!

Three people I'd like to invite to dinner... Phil Collins, Jason Bargwanna and Tina Arena.

My favourite part of the day is... 5.30 in the morning, watching the sun rise.

The RIC supports me in my role by... providing research information on available training resources and facilitating the flexible learning modes involving computer learning and videoconferencing.