Introduction
I wanted to be a professor. I ended up being more practical and another kind of life-long learner.
As an economist my research focuses on the nature of capital. As a sociologist my research focuses on natural change. As a social worker my research focuses on people who are locked out of the system. I frequently draw comparative lessons between peoples individual experiences and the broader social narrative.
Tasmania is my forth place of residence, first arriving at the end of 1998. Except for three years ‘on the road’ Bendigo was home since 1975. I left Melbourne when I was a baby.
My travelling ended in Hobart after following a vision to work in the environment. To accomplish this I felt I needed to live alone on the side of a mountain in the Tasmanian bush. For ten years, I worked on building Rustix.
Rustix was unique handcrafted rustic style furniture made from rare species recycled timber. I sourced my materials by hustling at sites for timber visible from the road. These included colonial home renovations, building demolitions, garage sales in the suburbs, and the local bush.
I sold my work by word of mouth. As I increased in popularity I became recognised as a uniquely Tasmanian maker. I began shipping pieces on order, drawing attention worldwide-wide. Though the broader markets were attractive, I preferred selling through my local stall at Salamanca Market, and also supporting Country Fairs in rural Tasmania.
From my market stall I cultivated relationships with locals, and new residents who had come to Tasmania for a variety of reasons. I maintained my close roots to the place where I sourced my materials, worked and lived. I believe I was recognised because my work reflected my lifestyle and choices for living naturally.
For a brief time I danced ballroom. I enjoyed having my own private dance teacher, until a fall. After that I enrolled at university. I was 42 years old. Again, I was following a vision: to work with people in their environment. To accomplish this firstly, I lived with those I was helping, secondly I became a social worker, and third, looked for key partners.
