Experience

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  Author

  • Brisbane, Australia

  • Author of "HouseSitting in Australia" and "A Middle-Aged Princess in Tramping Boots"

    • Dec 2011 - Present
    • Brisbane, Australia

    I have written two books and am working on two more. In between writing, I do motorbike deliveries and am renovating my home.

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  Surprising Australia

  • Manager/ Director

    • Jan 2010 - Present

    Web Site design and development Affiliate Marketing and systems managerWriter

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  FountainHead Organic retreat

  • Intern/Life Coach

    • Oct 2009 - Jan 2010

    Working onsite in various roles while training as a life coach.

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  Survival Bags Australia

  • Manager/Director

    • Jan 2010 - 2010

    Web site design and developmentTechnical advisor Marketing specialist and purchaser

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  BARNARDOS

  • Operations Project Manager/Team Leader

    • Jul 2007 - Oct 2009

    Overall management of up to 11 childcare centres in Wellington, Palmerston North and Hastings.Set the budgets for the 2008/9 period and advised on the 2009/10 period. Responsible for overseeing the Business planning for all Central Region centres for 2008/9Provided regular supervision of centre teams. Provided support to managers dealing with performance issues or conflict between workers.Managed building project work including commissioning designs, applying for consents, overseeing contractors and managing the finances and budgets.

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  Church of Jesus Christ of LDS

  • Competent Project Manager and Administrator

    • Apr 1990 - Mar 2009

    Co-ordinated large scale community events including a Children's Day activity that attracted over 5,000 visitorsManaged the Wellington segment of several touring performance groups Managed several building projects where I worked with trades people, suppliers, councils and staffPlanned large scale projects such as mall displays and a clean up of Petone beach that involved over 100 volunteers.As a representative of Bonneville Communications I met annually with Wellington radio stations to promote community announcement spots.Dozens of my articles have been printed in the local newspapersPlanned and promoted the profitable Wellington portion of tours by large overseas groups such as the BYU Singers and Ballroom Dancers. Presented the family week programme to a meeting of Wellington region mayors. Held a family week in Upper Hutt. Taught classes of small to large groups, particularly adults and teenagers.Provided media and public affairs training to other specialists and directors.

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  Kidicorp Ltd

  • Group Manager

    • Jan 2004 - Jul 2007

    Directed the operation of 9 childcare centres in Wellington and the Hutt ValleyDeveloped staff through clear performance management strategies. Increased competencies in centre managers.Planned and ran meetings including training workshops and team functions. Provided APT software training to key staff. (A computer software accounting package)Supervised contractors and the regional maintenance person.Directed the business planning for centres including strategic and management plans, and budget proposals.

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  Hutt Healthy Cities

  • Chairperson and coordicator

    • May 2004 - Jun 2007

    Chairperson of several groups including Hutt Healthy Cities and the Hutt Valley Interfaith GroupHandled a potentially explosive media issue so that there was limited damage to the organisations reputation.Trusted by the people I had management responsibility for. (See KC 360° appraisal.)

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  Kereru Family Trust

  • Landlord/Entrepreneur

    • May 2004 - Feb 2007

    Set up the family trust and prepared a business plan to make money in property.Bought and tenanted real estate and kept effective records for the Inland Revenue Department.Managed tenancies and contract issues.

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  BirthdayBox

  • Sole Trader Business

    • Mar 2002 - Aug 2004

    Designed and built a web site selling party kits for childrenPromoted and maintained the web site. Followed up accounts. Kept records that complied with tax department requirements.

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  World Vision

  • Famine Representative (also Regional Manager for 2

    • Mar 2001 - Jun 2004

    Supported schools that were involved in the 40hr famineManaged the team of volunteers Wrote occasional articles for the Hutt NewsParticipated in a professional Media Skills workshopPresented a training workshop on writing for the media

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  Ah Wong Panel and Paint Ltd

  • Director/Owner

    • Jan 1988 - Jun 2004

    Set up the business and managed all daily accounting processes. Managed staff and compliance with government requirements.

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  Hutt Healthy Cities

  • Chairperson/Volunteer

    • Jan 1994 - Jan 2002

    Supported health professionals to network effectively by holding regular meetings and semi-annual events. Chaired the meetings and co-ordinated the events.Planned large projects such as the Hutt City Children's Day event which attracted around 8000 peopleMade submissions to Hutt City Council.Worked with local groups to achieve community goals.

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  Hutt food bank

  • Welfare Advocate

    • Jan 1994 - Jan 1995

    Worked with customers of the food bank to see that they were receiving correct benefit entitlements.Met with clients and the Department of Social Welfare

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  kidicorp Ltd

  • Group Manager

    • 1904 - 1907