Experience
Student - Milo Mission Academy for Lunar Exploration
2024 | I recently completed an enriching course called Milo Mission Academy, a fantastic collaboration between Arizona State University and AROSE. I was one of the very first Australian students to participate in the Academy. Over 12 weeks, I had the privilege of working within a multidisciplinary and talented team to develop a solution concept supporting NASA's lunar scientific goals. For my team's project, I served as Lead Computer Hardware Engineer while also leveraging my marketing and communications experience as the mission's Outreach Officer. Despite not being an engineer or a scientist, I successfully adapted to an engineering mindset, which reinforced my understanding and impact on complex aerospace projects.
In May, I attended the New Horizons Space Summit in Sydney, where I found a sense of belonging amongst the incredible lineup of speakers and colleagues.
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Marketing and Communications Manager - The Sebel Melbourne Ringwood
2023 - 2024 | I led revenue-driving initiatives for The Sebel Ringwood, The Orchard Bar and Grill, and The Motley Hotel Richmond. Promoted twice, I crafted tailored marketing plans, optimised digital components, and established strategic partnerships with wineries like Steels Gate and Rob Dolan. Notable achievements include a 20% increase in patronage after rebranding onsite restaurant The Orchard Bar and Grill and coordinating successful leisure and corporate dining events. I also cultivated partnerships with local businesses, managed the conferences and events team, and boosted sales team motivation and productivity.
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Digital Marketing Manager - Balgownie Estate
2021-2023 | Headed marketing and digital communications for Balgownie Group (Yarra Valley and Bendigo) specialising in copywriting, website content management, CRM's, boutique winery ecommerce, wine clubs and member benefit schemes, social media, email marketing, analytics and reporting.
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Pictured here an aerial shot capturing the raw beauty of Balgownie Estate Yarra Valley.
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Wine Sales Manager - Balgownie Estate
2021-2022 | In charge of Balgownie Estate wine sales and the wine customer journey online. CRM, website, ecommerce, wine club, quarterly email marketing and adhoc flash-sale campaigns, member acquisition, account management and technical support, processing, packing and shipping online and club orders, freight and logistics, warehousing and more. I earned the new wine club concept finalist recognition for innovation at TAA(Vic) Awards in 2021. I supported set up and day-to-day operation of a pop-up Eatery and Cellar Door while we rebuilt a brand new facility. For a long while I simultaneously managed wine sales and a digital marketing role, and in July 2022, I was able to handover the wine business to a new recruit so I could focus entirely on marketing.
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Pictured here showcasing Balgownie Wines at the Good Food and Wine Show with working pals Oday and Sophie.
Business Development and Digital Communications - Balgownie Estate
2020-2021 | Following both Covid-19 business interruptions and a tragic restaurant fire at Balgownie, I channeled my efforts into business development and digital projects including a new wine website, ecommerce and wine club platform (shop.balgownie.com), while simultaneously authoring and managing content for the group's primary website (balgownie.com).
Event Sales Executive - Balgownie Estate
2019–2020 | Converting sales leads into timeless wedding contracts and memorable personalised dining events. I nurtured tight working relationships with event coordinators, suppliers, partners and other key stakeholders. I covered every aspect of weddings and events like it was my own business. From brochures, to analytics and reporting, contracts and booking forms. I thrived hosting private wedding tours (and open days) at Balgownie Yarra Valley and sharing with my clients the joy of booking their milestones with us. I closed around 300K in sales before Covid-19 interrupted business. I enjoyed the accolade of employee of the month in January 2020, for versatility and can-do attitude (not bad for 6 months into a completely new field!)
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Pictured here ready to host my first Wedding Open Day in March 2020.
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Fit by Cat - Marketing
In addition to my professional roles, I passionately support my wife Cat's endeavours as a gifted and award-winning Dietitian and Personal Trainer. She has been recognised as AUSActive's Victorian Personal Trainer of the Year 2022 and Victorian People's Choice Registered Professional 2023. Together, we strive to empower her clients to transform their relationship with food and exercise, guiding them towards healthier and happier lifestyles. Recently I have refreshed her brand to reflect her new status as an Accredited Practicing Dietitian.
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Maroondah Council Health and Fitness Coordinator - Aquahub
2016-2019 | At Aquahub, I led an innovative gym equipment and studio refurbishment, and helped implement a new customer experience program offering new and improved health assessments, gym programs and nutrition consultations. I introduced technology including virtual fitness and the myzone physical activity system. I empowered personal trainers to grow their PT businesses, diversify their skillsets, improve their income and job satisfaction. Together with my team, we exceeded business targets including attendances, income and customer engagement. While at Maroondah Leisure, I began exploring interests in marketing and regularly collaborated with the Leisure Marketing team. I created and hosted a wide variety of promotional video content for our website and social media.​
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YMCA Victoria Health and Fitness Coordinator - Eltham Leisure Centre
2011–2016 | At the Y, I led one of the largest group fitness, health club and personal training teams of my fitness career. I was hands-on recruiting, training, and mentoring fitness professionals, while working rostered gym instructor and duty manager shifts, motivating my own portfolio of personal training clients, and teaching an array of Les Mills and small group training classes. While at the Y, I was in my element marketing monthly class specials and collaborating with Nillumbik Council on health promotion initiatives. My most successful community projects included a live stadium masterclass experience (over 300 participants on Good Friday 2012) and a Spring Shape Up campaign in 2015. I presented smart training and healthy eating to members resulting in record motivation, gym consultations and PT sales.
Victoria Police Officer
2009–2010 | A personal and professional challenge. I successfully graduated Police Academy and worked as a general duties police constable at Mill Park, Epping, Preston, Brunswick, CBD. I engaged with all walks of life. I particularly enjoyed working with highway patrol, drug and alcohol, and family violence units.
Fitness First Group Fitness Manager - Victoria Gardens
2006–2009 | I looked after an elite team of group fitness instructors and studio operations at Victoria Gardens. Daily duties included timetabling, instructor assessments and managing customer feedback. I also presented Les Mills class formats including BODYPUMP, BODYCOMBAT and RPM at various metro club locations. Part of this professional experience was a temporary position managing national group fitness administration in Sydney, where I was also able to teach my beloved Les Mills classes at some of Australia's highest performing clubs. While a GFM, I was recognised for consistent and high performance, being a team player and embracing company values.
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Pictured here warming up a pump class at Epping Fitness First with my wife Cat (also an instructor). Although we had only started seeing each other when this was taken.
Fitness HQ Urban Workshop Personal Trainer - Lonsdale Street Melbourne
2006–2008 | I ran my own contractor personal training business based in a boutique Melbourne CBD health club (which ended up part of the Genesis Fitness chain). I designed and implemented Fitness HQ’s first corporate Bootcamp experience in the Carlton Gardens and won a member referral competition, more than doubling the efforts of 10 other trainers in the facility. The health club serviced predominantly interconnecting Victorian Government Department of Health, and Telstra Business complexes.
Magic FM/5CC - Port Lincoln
Announcer and Copywriter
2005–2006 | I shared my time between FM and AM studios - hosting breakfast radio, panelling the simulcast John Laws program, prerecording hit music mornings and classic hits weekends. I wrote many radio ads, and promotional content for both stations. I wore many hats, especially when the Eyre Peninsula Bush fires devastated the region. Lives and properties were lost, and I had to assimilate into my new community fast. I found myself out in the community often, hosting live broadcasts from different locations around the peninsula and in my downtime, DJing at the local sports bar, exploring sand dunes, seafood and some of the most dazzling beaches down-under.
Equilibrium Health and Fitness Personal Trainer - Doncaster East
2003–2005 | I was on the team that opened the Equilibrium chain’s third boutique health club. My expertise was delivering systemised personal training and group fitness experiences – these have been the staples of my career ever since. I discovered a flare for sales training with Steve Jensen and Impact Training
HITZ FM Melbourne - Announcer and Content Producer
1999–2002 | My radio career started as a volunteer at Melbourne’s HITZ FM – I flourished on air presenting afternoons, breakfast, happy hours and a comedy show. I wrote and produced all my own on-air content – sweepers, promos, themes, segments - everything. I pulled together partnerships with influential brands including Telstra, HOYTS and a chic Chapel Street clothing label. I interviewed influential RnB music stars and media personalities. I co-hosted the stations historic final broadcast party in 2002.
Austereo MCM Entertainment
Work Experience
1997 | Worth a mention, as this experience shaped my passion to work in creative media. While other students in high school were signing up for clerical duties with their working parents, I reached out to Austereo MCM and got my dream gig working with creative writers, with celebs and radio personalities, and learning from the nation’s leading producers of Take 40 Australia and Planet Rock. MCM’s General Manager wrote me a letter of appreciation for the value I brought to their team.