GAVIN ACKERLY
Manager, ASSET. Gavin has a background as an ‘A Grade’ electrician and gas plumber. He specialised in servicing industrial furnaces for the manufacturing industry for 12 years. He then moved into freelance writing for electrical and plumbing trade magazines and later into electrical sales with Bunnings Warehouse. In 2004, Gavin returned to school to study a diploma in Community Welfare Work, supporting himself by swimming teaching at his local pool. He volunteered as an employment advisor at ASSET from 2006 until 2008 when he took on his current management position. Gavin is also a folk musician and long suffering Western Bulldogs fan.
Manager, ASSET. Gavin has a background as an ‘A Grade’ electrician and gas plumber. He specialised in servicing industrial furnaces for the manufacturing industry for 12 years. He then moved into freelance writing for electrical and plumbing trade magazines and later into electrical sales with Bunnings Warehouse. In 2004, Gavin returned to school to study a diploma in Community Welfare Work, supporting himself by swimming teaching at his local pool. He volunteered as an employment advisor at ASSET from 2006 until 2008 when he took on his current management position. Gavin is also a folk musician and long suffering Western Bulldogs fan.
WILLIAM HAEBICH
Employer Partnerships William Haebich has 30 years experience working as a mathematician and management scientist in business. This includes 13 years as Operations Research Manager at the National Mutual Life Association (now AXA Australia), 6 years as a consultant at Simsion Bowles and Associates and almost a decade as a partner at Stafford Mackenzie Pty Ltd. He has consulted to a wide range of enterprises including banks, insurance companies, publishers, airlines, and to all levels of government. At Stafford Mackenzie he was responsible for the firm’s marketing. William has a PhD in mathematics and is a Fellow of the Australian Computer Society. He is a dedicated bushwalker, skier and judo player.
Employer Partnerships William Haebich has 30 years experience working as a mathematician and management scientist in business. This includes 13 years as Operations Research Manager at the National Mutual Life Association (now AXA Australia), 6 years as a consultant at Simsion Bowles and Associates and almost a decade as a partner at Stafford Mackenzie Pty Ltd. He has consulted to a wide range of enterprises including banks, insurance companies, publishers, airlines, and to all levels of government. At Stafford Mackenzie he was responsible for the firm’s marketing. William has a PhD in mathematics and is a Fellow of the Australian Computer Society. He is a dedicated bushwalker, skier and judo player.
SHEELAGH PURDON
Employer Partnerships Sheelagh commenced work as an employment professional with The Commonwealth Employment Service 30 years ago. She worked with both job seekers and employers before becoming a specialist trainer in the field. She then moved on to develop a business in training and facilitation where she worked for over 20 years with a broad range of clients in areas such as Management Development and Strategic Planning. Sheelagh started working with Asylum Seekers and Refugees five years ago. During this time she has gained an in depth understanding of the particular strengths and challenges of this group of people. She has also worked with Employers to understand their needs and develop approaches to meeting those needs. Specifically she has developed and delivered a learning package for line managers to equip them to successfully employ people with a refugee background. Sheelagh has been able to combine her skills in employment and facilitation to become a specialist in the area of Asylum Seeker and Refugee employment.
Employer Partnerships Sheelagh commenced work as an employment professional with The Commonwealth Employment Service 30 years ago. She worked with both job seekers and employers before becoming a specialist trainer in the field. She then moved on to develop a business in training and facilitation where she worked for over 20 years with a broad range of clients in areas such as Management Development and Strategic Planning. Sheelagh started working with Asylum Seekers and Refugees five years ago. During this time she has gained an in depth understanding of the particular strengths and challenges of this group of people. She has also worked with Employers to understand their needs and develop approaches to meeting those needs. Specifically she has developed and delivered a learning package for line managers to equip them to successfully employ people with a refugee background. Sheelagh has been able to combine her skills in employment and facilitation to become a specialist in the area of Asylum Seeker and Refugee employment.
BRIAN WILLIAMS MCMANUS
Manager, ASSET Cleaning Link Graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Economics and Commerce in 1971. Brian then worked for Myer Limited until late 1974 in a number of management positions and helped design a new stockkeeping and ordering process for the total Myer Group. In 1974, Brian joined Ford Motor Company, Australia and worked there until retiring in 2006. In his 32 years with Ford, Brian worked as a finance analyst and became involved in all operations across the organisation. During this time, he worked in a number of senior management positions and was responsible for key Ford initiatives, including corporate finance, driving cost reduction efforts, selling of surplus real estate, and advising management on business improvement strategies. Now happily retired, Brian works in several voluntary positions. He spends his spare time windsurfing, sailing, playing tennis and relaxing on the Surf Coast as well as enjoying more quality time with his wife and four children.
Manager, ASSET Cleaning Link Graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Economics and Commerce in 1971. Brian then worked for Myer Limited until late 1974 in a number of management positions and helped design a new stockkeeping and ordering process for the total Myer Group. In 1974, Brian joined Ford Motor Company, Australia and worked there until retiring in 2006. In his 32 years with Ford, Brian worked as a finance analyst and became involved in all operations across the organisation. During this time, he worked in a number of senior management positions and was responsible for key Ford initiatives, including corporate finance, driving cost reduction efforts, selling of surplus real estate, and advising management on business improvement strategies. Now happily retired, Brian works in several voluntary positions. He spends his spare time windsurfing, sailing, playing tennis and relaxing on the Surf Coast as well as enjoying more quality time with his wife and four children.