I was educated in VIC, QLD, NSW, NZ and California having completed a BA (Hons) in French Language and Culture at Loma Linda University. I did 6 months of a Journalism major – but the professor was such a dragon I left uni and ran away from home for a time to do a travel agents course. The TA course resulted in me getting a free trip to Europe on a 35 day luxury coach trip and first class Pan Am flights to London at the age of 18. Seeing Europe at such an influential age, changed me forever. I fell hopelessly and helplessly in love with France – its culture, people, cuisine, decor etc.
My darling father (whom I lost mid 2011) worked for the Sanitarium Health Food Company his whole working life. As a result of the internal promotion policy of the company we were moved around like army kids. Mum worked out we moved 11 times in 18 years. This explains several aspects of my personality today.
I have been in marketing since I was 18 years old. I did not even know it existed as a discipline until that age and now realise that it is a pathological condition – being a marketer, that is. I market to my children, relatives , friends and wax lyrical upon anyone who will listen. I apologise to you in advance.
I have worked in a diverse variety of multi-nationals, medium and small businesses in marketing roles caring for budgets ranging up to $1M. I undertook a treechange in the Hawkesbury in 1997 developing an heirloom timber rocking horse business. My then partner and I became Australia’s largest and only fulltime makers of high quality heirloom rocking horses; offering made to order rocking horses, kits, plans, accessories, 3-day rocking horse making classes for baby boomers, group tours for seniors and a B & B. I became very adept at pitching and writing stories about rocking horses and getting them published in national magazines; writing press releases about rocking horses and getting them printed in the Sydney and regional newspapers and pitching TV shows to get the rocking horses on TV. We were on TV about 20 times over a period of 4 years and prior to that did numerous Royal Easter Shows and Timber and Working with Wood Shows interstate.
During this time I established (on a volunteer basis) an Antiques Trail, an Artisan’s Trail and a Regional Festival, in the Hawkesbury all based on co-operative marketing. I mentored many small business people, did public speaking for the Department of State and Regional Development and taught marketing workshops for Hawkesbury Council – all for the love of it! (See - a pathological condition)
I have two children, 20 year old boy loving and studying Chiropractic at Macquarie University and heavily into Wing Chun and 11 year old (going on 40) girl who is sensitive, artistic and wildly wise for her age. They are my masterpieces.
When I had time for hobbies (between babies) I made heirloom bears (and taught bear making), antique porcelain dolls and restored antique furniture. I have a vintage and antique pram collection and other antiques of childhood such as baby scales, high chairs, bassinettes, rattles and teething rings. I also used to write freelance, mostly artisan profiles and the country lifestyle for Australian Country Collections magazine for 4 years.
My passions now are: my children, my mother, my partner – luscious L, learning the art and science of social media marketing and blogging, artisan craft markets, gourmet farmers markets, cooking and experimentation with same, the holy trinity of c’s – cheese, chocolate and coffee (I can be bribed with any combination or quantity of Gorgonzola Picante, Godiva and Barista-made Cappuccino), brunch at Terrigal Crowne Plaza, short breaks and travelling with luscious L, getting dressed up to go out to a magical restaurant, anything French and George Clooney.