Retail

1983 - 1989

Retail Assistant and Store Manager

Fresh from school and not really knowing what I wanted for a career I started working as a Retail Assistant in a One Hour Photo Processing Store. Initially the retail chain was called Fotomart and later became Rabbit Photo in Adelaide.

Training was a big part of the company culture and I was lucky to have regular weekly training sessions in customer service, staff management, stock inventory and merchandising as well as the technical side of developing photos from negatives. After a couple of years I was promoted to Store Manager, initially starting in a small store and eventually leading a team of 12, including permanent and casual staff. I learnt some great skills during this time and believe they helped me in my second career as a Makeup Artist and Hairdresser.

Entertainment

January 1990 - Present

Hair & Makeup Artist

I started my career as a Hair and Makeup Artist at Channel 9 in Adelaide, and have since worked as a Freelancer on numerous productions in a variety of roles in Makeup and Hair Departments in Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne.

I am confident leading a small teams as well as fulfilling supporting roles depending on the job requirements. Working for more than 30 years in the Entertainment Industry has taught me how to work with various types of personalities, be flexible and to adapt new situations quickly.

Over the years I have honed the practical skills of Makeup and Hairdressing, which also includes Wig Work and Special Effects. However a large part of my work has also included management of people, stock, scheduling and continuity supervision and has been as much a part of my role as well as the creative side. It is an area I also enjoy, as I believe if this side can run efficiently, the creative side is so much easier and fun.

Hair & Makeup Artist. Nine Network, South Australia

During my years at Nine I worked on many of their programs including their News Service, Children’s shows such as Here’s Humphrey and National Shows when they came to S.A such as Hey Hey It’s Saturday, The Australian Grand Prix, Cricket Telecasts, The Today Show and A Current Affair. I also finished my Diploma in Art and Certificate in Hairdressing during this time.

Freelance Hair & Makeup Artist

In these years I was able to stretch my wings with the security of also being able to do the occasional shift back at Channel 9. I have been lucky enough to have continued that relationship throughout my years living in Adelaide.

I worked with most of the other Commercial Networks in programs ranging from, News, Current Affairs and Children’s TV such as “Chuck Finn” and my first feature for U.S TV “Disappearance”. TV Commercials, Theatre, Still Shoots, Weddings and even a little bit of teaching also filled in gaps during this time and still do to this day if the opportunity arises. I was also able to consolidate my hairdressing skills working in salon part-time.

McLeod’s Daughters, Series 1-8. Nine Network.

Eight years and seven series really taught me about the stamina you need to work on a drama series all on location. I discovered the deep and important bounds you can form professionally and personally working like this and continued to enjoy a different style of makeup and hairstyling from my TV studios days and was able to begin to use some more Special FX skills as well as Wig Work.

Following my years on McLeod’s Daughters I began to work in Victoria as well South Australia, mostly on Films and TV Series in roles from Assistant, Key Makeup/Hair, Supervisor and occasionally Designer.

I have continued to work on Additional days in between longer contracts on other Series & Films, AFL, AFLW & Cricket Sporting Telecasts, Reality, Commercials, Corporate, Events and Weddings. I moved to Melbourne in early 2019 with the plan to work a little less on longer contracts and fill in with this type of work.

1982

Matriculation, Year 12

English, Art, Biology, Geography, Australian History

Wilderness School, South Australia

1985 - 1987

Management Training

Customer Service, Staff Management, Stock Control, Photo Processing.

Rabbit Photo in House Training, South Australia.

1989 - 1991

Certificate in Makeup Artistry

Theatre, Film, TV and Special Effects Makeup

Jay and Jay Makeup Academy, South Australia.

1990 - 1994

Associate Diploma of Art

Major in Ceramic Sculpture

North Adelaide School of Art

1996 - 1999

Certificate IV in Hairdressing

Haircutting, Styling and Colouring

JAMM Hair Academy, South Australia.

I am able to supply recent Police and Working with Children Checks as well as supporting References and Certificates.

I enjoy learning and expanding my horizons and am committed to delivering professionalism, confidentially, flexibility and creativity on whatever work may come my way in any part of the world.

Married. Love travelling and home-life. Mad dog lover, specially Greyounds! I was S.A Freestyle Roller Skating champion for 5 years in the 70’s & 80’s and still enjoy a skate now and then. I am interested in Tiny Homes, Architecture, Politics & Psychology.