I grew up in Albert Park, South Melbourne and Port Melbourne a great area in those days. Attended Albert Park Primary then South Melbourne Technical school including extra 4 years doing my carpentry apprenticeship there.
I left Melbourne in 1996 to enjoy the bush life and to build a house for myself as I was very interested in alternative building methods that were thriving around this area. A builder friend and his family had moved up a year or so earlier and after visiting the area a couple of times I thought it was time to take the tree change and purchased the property that is now called Clayborne Villa and this was home for over 18 years and during that time I studied Advanced Building Studies at Ballarat and also Footscray T.A.F.E .
Around 2004 I had also purchased and operated Kangaroo Bend Cottage for a few years which was the adjoining block on the other side of Clayborne Villa . This had been quite successful but I wanted to wind down my workload a bit so I sold it and have more time to myself . I had also purchased the other block next door on the other side of Clayborne Villa and built my present home out of rendered straw bales. Silly me, a glutton for punishment! Both of my houses are built with the colder climate in mind and they are both very warm in winter and cool in summer. Being 5 acre (2 hectare approx) there is plenty of room around the house to enjoy the wildlife, kick a footy, ride a bike or any other outdoor activity without having fences or neighbours right outside your windows like in Melbourne. After spending 23 years as a with Department of Housing and Human Services I was lucky enough to obtain a package and retired at 63y.o. I now travel to my fishing spots on the bay when the Villa is not busy and have been lucky enough to visit a couple of countries to enjoy the more tropical climates. I also enjoy meeting the guest that come to stay in the villa and reading the guest book after they head off back to their homes.