I'm a facilitator trying to do myself out of a job! I transfer my skills and knowledge to others, sharing ways of making gatherings of all sorts more productive and interactive.
I've worked as a journalist, publicist and community educator and have had my own consulting business – Beyond the Edge Pty Ltd, based in Melbourne, since 1996. I'm fortunate to work in many places - some close to home in Australia and New Zealand, and further afield in south-east Asia, the Pacific and Africa.
My style is to bring a kind of planned spontaneity to my work; my relaxed and informal approach is backed by robust theoretical knowledge and clear intent. Keeping it fresh is important, for me and for my participants, so I try to bring new learnings and a tailored approach to every session.
I use a range of participatory approaches to facilitation and learning, including Technology of Participation, Open Space Technology, Solutions Focus approach, action methods, drama, improvisation and humour. My broad-based background spans the agriculture, forestry, conservation, community development and media sectors – as does my education. I studied agricultural science at Longerenong Agricultural College and have a Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies from RMIT, and a Masters in Applied Science (Agriculture and Rural Development) from the University of Western Sydney.
