In late 2022 I reduced my hours with myHomecare Group to 4 days a week and started working one day a week as a contractor delivering services to a select group of 3 clients.
I started this course out of interest. And it was interesting!
Course OutlineA generalist degree targeting people looking to become project managers. Topics included in the degree ranged from software engineering, project management, data science, corporate accounting and human resources.
I also studied astronomy, electrical engineering, network engineering and AI as electives.
Delivered through Central Coast Group Training, this was completed while employed at Sue Mann Nursing & Community Care.
Course OutlineAfter completing my degree I was looking for more practical experience and, at the recommendation of my university lecturers who delivered some of my degree courses, I enrolled in a TAFE Cert IV course. Due to my performance in my degree courses and work experience, I was able to enrol directly in Cert IV. I successfully completed the first semester before obtaining a network engineer role, with training on the job (Comptech Engineering Services).
Course OutlineThe following training courses have been completed over the years. Most of these were 1 or 2 day courses.
I enjoy playing board and computer games. I play "heavy" boardgames as I find these stimulate my mind and usually require a high degree of strategic and tactical planning, keeping my mind active. I play computer games as this encourages good hand-eye coordination, quick-thinking and problem solving.
I am a fully qualified private pilot, with a few endorsements allowing me to fly aircraft with retractable undercarriage and constant-speed-unit propellers. While I was flying I participated in various flyouts organised by the local Aero club and have been lucky enough to travel over most of western NSW on these trips. Sadly, flying is very expensive and is something I can no longer afford to do.
I have an unrestricted motorcycle license. I had always wanted to get my license, and we needed a second mode of transport. So rather than get a second car, I got my bike license instead. It also makes up somewhat for being no longer able to fly. Riding is still rather expensive when you take all the riding gear into account, but not as expensive as flying.
I enjoy writing software in my spare time (crazy, I know). My most recent achievement was writing an API in Python that runs in a Docker container on my home server. This API controls my Blood Bike availability (See Volunteering section below). It is hooked into my home automation system (HASS) so I can update my availability from any screen with the automation displayed. This avoids the need to log in to the Blood Bikes website every time. I also have an automation running that marks me as unavailable at 2030 every night in case I forget to adjust it myself.
My next goal is to consolidate the three buttons to a single button that toggles the availability status.
I am a volunteer for Blood Bikes Australia on the Central Coast, a national group of people who volunteer their time and motorbikes for the purpose of transporting blood and medical supplies to and from anywhere they are required.
Blood Bikes AustraliaIn my youth and in to early adult life, I was a member of the Australian Air League (AAL) for 15 years. The AAL is a group for boys and girls aged 8 to 18 years, modelled closely on Air Cadets. I started as a junior, working my way up through the ranks until I was second-in-command of Gosford Squadron.
Australian Air League