I was born 1958 (a late model baby boomer), the third of four kids in a Christian family. My first seven years were spent at Binnaway, then when the family farm was sold we moved to Emu Plains. My father joined the staff at Hawkesbury Ag College and we built a house on my grandparents land at Emu. I came to know the Lord fully aged 12 when my parents were on the team of a Scripture Union agricultural camp. We were part of the local Anglican church.

After school I studied agriculture at Sydney Uni, not completing the course, followed by two years at Hawkesbury where my results were much better. This helped me obtain a job at Trangie with what is now Industry & Investment NSW as a Technical Officer. Two years later I moved sideways into my current position in pest animal research (“the ferals”). I spent ten years at Trangie and the last 14 here at Orange, and have always enjoyed the work – mostly with pigs, rabbits, goats and birds.

During my Trangie time I married Neralyn who was a special education teacher (Dubbo), and our three children were born. Simon finished year 12 in 2007 and is currently working as a jackaroo in Queensland. Naomi is studying early childhood at University and Julia is in year 11 at Orange Christian School. Each did their primary education at Orange Public School.

We are part of Orange Baptist Church where I am on the leadership, co-ordinate mens activities, lead a home group, am part of the worship music team and occasionally preach.

I’m a typical Rhema volunteer, with very little spare time on my hands. As a board member for a few years, I now have the secretary’s role. This mainly means keeping minutes and making board members aware of meetings and agendas. I load four programs – communication, focus on the family comments, creation moments and adventures in Odyssey. My favourite programs are the live breakfast programs, Focus on the Family, Derek Prince and of course, music. Listening to 103.5FM has built me up and enriched my life in many ways.