The NPL Board

At school David wanted to be:
A sportsperson or metalworker.

​

He’s worked as an:
Apprentice engineering machinist at Owens. He learnt multiple disciplines like welding, machining, repairs of machinery and equipment. He started his own business at 21, repairing machinery and making things from steel. Soon after, he started Warrnambool Hydraulics repairing and manufacturing hydraulic equipment. He’s also been involved with Warrnambool Indoor Go-carting, AVA P/L mobile harness racing barriers supplying all states their starting equipment, Speedshield P/L inventing and supplying mobile speed controllers around the world and Pacific Materials Handling P/L supplying machinery to the Australian/Pacific steel recycling and waste recycling industries.

​

Career advice David would give his younger self:
Just start somewhere, anywhere at all. Look for good people to work with and keep them around you. Understand what interests you and makes you happy. Work in multiple part-time jobs while you’re considering your future options and do this as soon as you can. Respect what advisers tell you but make up your own mind. If you get it wrong, just reset and start again!

At school Marcus wanted to be a:
Physiotherapist.

​

He worked as a:
Grocery attendant, builders’ labourer, farm hand, nurse and in the motor industry.

​

Career advice Marcus would give his younger self:
Apply yourself as best you can and listen to those who have been successful in their work and life.

At school Iain wanted to be a:
Physical education teacher.

​

He's worked as a:
Plumbers’ assistant, kitchen hand, waiter, gym instructor, pool lifeguard, maths teacher, science teacher, physical education teacher, assistant principal.

​

Career advice Iain would give his younger self:
If you are unsure, take the ‘leap of faith’ into your career knowing that where you start your career journey is not necessarily where you will finish.

At school Mel wanted to be a:
A forensic investigator.

​

She’s worked as a:
National account manager - human resources/recruitment, apprentices/trainees officer, careers practitioner, support coordinator.

​

Career advice Mel would give her younger self:
Don't be afraid to ask questions, try new things, and take that leap - even when you feel unsure. Confidence doesn't appear overnight, it builds from experiences, connections, and small steps outside your comfort zone. You don't have to have it all figured out - but you DO have to start somewhere! Just say yes!!

At school Mick wanted to be a:
He had no idea what he wanted to do when he left school, he's still not sure and is quite ok about that.

​

He’s worked as a:
Paperboy, in retail, boilermaker, welder, security, bartender, in supermarkets, local government councillor, youth advocate, disability support, educator, careers practitioner, management, mental health advocate and many, many more roles.

​

Career advice Mick would give his younger self:
Don’t feel the pressure of needing to know what you want to do when you grow up. It doesn’t help.