Employment History

I am lucky to hold dual citizenship. I am an Irish Citizen who obtained Australian Citizenship in March 2014.  I have lived and worked in Australia for almost 22 years. I previously lived in Melbourne for 15 years, and in Brisbane and the Gold Coast for approximately 7 years. 

Qualifications and training:

• Former CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate - Expired 2004)

• Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer NT 4 (obtained 2000) consisting of 8 MCP exams: 4 for Windows NT and 3 for Windows 2000, plus Network Essentials 

• Diploma in IT (obtained 1995)

• Certificate in Software Engineering (obtained 1999)

• Teacher Trainer Certificate in Information Technology Skills (Qualification to Teach IT obtained 1997 from UK Certifying body called the "Joint Examining Board".)

NON-IT Qualifications:

• First aid and CPR

• Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care (TAFE QLD obtained 2021)

• AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety

• AUSTSWIM Teacher of Infant and Preschool Aquatics

• AUSTSWIM Teacher of Aquatics - Access and Inclusion

• ASCTA - Swim Australia™ Teacher

• COVID-19 Infection Control Training

• National Disability Insurance Scheme worker orientation training (Respect and autonomy for the person with disability/different ability, agency for the NDIS participant)

• Working with children card for QLD and NSW (2016 to 2025)

• Garda Vetted (via Early Childhood Ireland, March 2023)

• TULSA "Introduction to Children First" elearning program (Ireland)

• "Protecting Children" Queensland Family & Child Commission

Vendor Examination History

Microsoft™  and Cisco™   Certification Exams Completed Successfully

Exam ID Description Date Completed

067 Implementing and Supporting NT  Server 4.0 June 2000

073 Implementing and Supporting NT  4.0 Workstation June  2000

068 Implementing and Supporting NT Server 4.0 in the Enterprise Oct  2000

059 Internetworking with Microsoft™  TCP/IP on Microsoft Windows NT 4.0    Oct 2000

058 Networking Essentials Dec 2000

219 Designing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Directory Services Infrastructure Dec 2000

221 Designing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Infrastructure     Jan 2001

222 Migrating from Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 to Microsoft Windows 2000      Feb 2001

640-507 Cisco™  Certified Network Associate   Nov 2001

Employment History

Early Childhood Educator / Logan TAFE Community Child Care Centre (QLD) / Glenalbyn Montessori (Ireland)   and various others

July 2020 - Sept 2024

Working as an Early Childhood Educator - working on my Soft Skills, increasing my understanding of human nature.  Taking care of and educating children ages 2 to 5 years old.  Mostly 

Children's swimming Instructor / Laurie Lawrence Swim School (Gold Coast, Australia) / First Swim (Ireland)

Jan 2016 - April 2024

Teaching children how to swim, and be safe in and around water.  I have taught many hundreds of children in both Australia and Ireland. Predominantly ages 4 to 9 years old, however I have also taught toddlers and babies, and occasionally adults and special needs adults and children alike.

Self-employed: Ran a Digital Marketing Agency / Action Digital Marketing Agency

Oct 2015 - Sept 2018

Running a Digital Marketing Agency, doing Websites for clients, running workshops, presenting to small business owners, selling online services (SEO, Web design & security, Social Media Management) etc. I delight in over-delivering to my clients. I am excellent at customer service. I enjoy interacting with people and helping them.  I love to educate people on Computer related maters, and expand their skills and build their confidence.

IT Contractor – Assorted IT Project Work / City of Port Phillip St. Kilda, Melbourne

Dec 2014 - May 2015 and July 2013 - May 2014

Various roles, due to my excellent technical skills and ability to get in and get the job done. Preformed Server and Data Migrations, worked on Disaster Recovery Plan, updated critical documentation and procedures. Decommissioning of Novel Netware Servers. (After living and working in Melbourne for 13 years, purchased a Motorhome and explored the East Coast of Australia, travelling up to QLD for Winter 2014 before deciding to move to Gold Coast area permanently in mid-2015.)

Infrastructure Specialist / State Trustees Limited Melbourne

Nov 2011 - April 2013

PABX (NEC), VMWare ESXi, vCentre, Windows 2008, Exchange 2010, Firewalls, Email appliances, DFS replication and namespaces, Level 3 support, Backups and Restores, Creation of Virtual Machines, Patching, Office fit-out, deploying applications

Key contributions:

• Setup of greenfield site due to decentralisation of employees from Melbourne to new-build Bendigo office. Consisting of:

  1. Server Room plus appropriate UPS, climate control, network infrastructure,  3-phase power etc.

  2. Mobile phone coverage within new built building - involving organising Cellular network repeaters to be installed on roof of building

  3. Installation of Telecommunication Services and new pit on street level for broadband and fixed line services (one pit for each of the major Australian Telecommunication Companies.)

  4. PABX setup / IP handset evaluation and migration

• Migration of approx 100 users and their telephone systems to new office.

Senior Server and Network Administrator / City of Port Phillip St. Kilda, Melbourne

Mar 2010 - Jun 2011

Initially worked in the IT Department of the Library Service, then was seconded to the Council's IT Department in Head Office.

Key contributions:

• Managing IT Infrastructure such as Firewalls, Cisco Switches, VMWare vCentre v 4.1, Windows 2003/2008 Servers (installing and configuring), Blackberry Enterprise Server (BES), Novell ZENWorks, NetApp SAN’s, PABX & Voicemail System, Anti-virus Solution (McAfee EPO), etc.

• Built new Spydus Server for the Library Service. Implemented Firewall rules for Library functions to permit connectivity with Online Resource providers such as; Webfeat, 360 Search and our RFID Vendor.

• Patching and cabling when required; Fiber-Optic backbone, Ethernet, and twisted pair (in the IDF).

• Created Change Requests and implemented them following defined Change Management process.

• Documented the Network links for key sites (using my Cisco Skills, mapped out all the VLANS, directly connected devices, Interface IP’s, subnets etc. which proved invaluable when a Network outage occurred due to a faulty router.). Wrote technical documentation (TIDs) on Firewalls etc.

Library Service:

• Providing IT Support to Library Staff and Library Patrons at 5 branches of PPLS (Port Phillip Library Service).

• Technologies: Spydus Library Management System (ver. 8.5); Talking Tech (IVR and Phone Notices for Patrons); Net Loan (running on a SQL server which manages PC Bookings & study room bookings for the Patrons); Windows XP Desktops managed through ABTutor and utilising DeepFreeze to lock Public Internet PC’s down. PaperCut Print Station management software. Fuji Xerox Multi Function Devices. Novell Management tools such as: ConsoleOne, iManager, ZENworks (Application deployment mainly), Cisco Wireless LAN Controller with 5 Lightweight Access Points, Cisco Catalyst Switches (Public Network).

• Assist Staff and Members of the Public with any IT Training & problem solving

• Provided excellent Customer Service to both staff and Library Patrons.

• Assisted members of the public with borrowings and returns (Desk operations)

• Assisted library patrons with many library services, such as; Finding items in the library, assisting them with the catalogue, Online Resources, ebooks and audio books

• Conducted Staff Performance Reviews, Interviewed candidates for job vacancy.

Local IS Manager / Covidien (Formerly Tyco Healthcare), Dublin, Ireland

Nov 2008 – Jun 2009

Covidien opened a Customer Services Centre in Dublin in July 08. Expanding business with many new staff coming on board. The headcount grew from 120 to 180 employees within three months.

Duties preformed:

• IT support – Levels 1 to 3

• Backups and Restores

• WSUS server deployment

• Network and server performance troubleshooting

• Agent Management (user creation & profiles) on Avaya Interaction Centre (Avaya PBX)

• Active Directory standard tasks; User Account creation, Mailbox creation, deletions.

• SOE creation and Desktop deployment

Technologies:

Avaya Interation Center, Business Advocate and VoIP system. RightFax fax server

Windows 2003 Server, Active Directory, Windows XP Desktops, Backup Exec 11d,

Cisco VPN

IT Manager / MAB Corporation Pty Ltd Melbourne

Mar 2007 – Dec 2007

MAB Corp is a Property Developer, Property Management, Funds Management and Hotel/Serviced Apartments Company. High availability, high data integrity on all systems is mandatory. MAB require 24 x 7 Operations for both the Financial and Hotel functions of the business.

Projects Undertaken:

Head Office Move to new building:

• Migrated Data Centre, Disaster Recovery Site and Head office Server room

• Negotiated contracts for new Data Centre, Internet and WAN links.

• Project Managed, planned and budgeted move.

• Defined timelines, organised Third Party Suppliers as necessary

• Implemented new ISP for Internet and WAN links (WAN Migration)

• Upgraded LAN Switches to POE, Wire-speed, managed switches

• Evaluated, purchased and implemented VoIP PBX phone & Voicemail System

• Physical relocation of all Servers, Blade Centre and SANs & RAID Arrays

• Server consolidation and server decommissioning, Server Upgrades

• Printer consolidation, upgrades and introduction of Multi-Function devices (Printers, Scanners, Photocopiers, Booklet Binders & Fax-in-1)

Technologies:

Hardware: IBM Blade Centre (plus blades), SANs, HP Proliant DL380 Servers, Tape Library, HP ProCurve & Netgear Switches, Cisco Routers (MPLS Network), Firewall.

Software: Windows 2003 Server, Exchange 2003, Windows Terminal Server, SQL server,

BES (Blackberry Enterprise Server), Backup Exec, Ghost, DiskClone, Symantec Antivirus

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for ensuring the IT infrastructure performs 24 hours a day (24 x 7 operations).

• Implement IT Strategy and advise the business on smarter ways to apply technology.

• IT planning (architecture, performance, capacity, integrity, security, budget, resourcing, business integration)

• Provide direction and leadership to the IT Department, Determine IT solutions

• IT team management (Coordinate work of support staff and help desk, mentor staff)

• Design and implement Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery Plan

• Manage IT operations and resources

• Determine & Manage IT training

• Determine & Manage IT budget

• Develop IT QA plan

• Determine & Manage Solutions Providers & IT vendors

• Negotiated Contracts with suppliers (Telecommunications/Internet, Vendor Support, etc.)

• Monitor, Review and upgrade IT Security Plan

• Responsible for IT policy documents

• Manage Network Infrastructure (performance, security, integrity)

• Monitor performance and initiate recoveries after system failures (if they were to occur)

• Assist with Third Level Technical support where required

• Overall responsibility of Backup of corporate data

• Plan and implement hardware and software migrations, Coordinate system updates and replacement of old software versions

• Control of system access and security

• Advise users on IT Systems usage and remote connectivity

• Saved the company over $16,000 in excess Telecommunication charges within 2 months

IT Manager / Burns Bridge Australia Pty Ltd Melbourne

Oct 2003 – Mar 2007

Duties included the following:

• Strategic IT Management & technical leadership responsibility

• Responsible for security, operation and maintenance of Burns Bridge Australia's entire IT Infrastructure, including Data links, network, user systems and all IT Equipment such as: Firewalls, Servers, mail servers,

• IT Decision maker: Chose technologies and service providers for Data & Telecoms.

• Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Planning and Execution. Responsible for archiving data.

• Upgraded Cisco PIX Firewalls OS (IOS). Set up intra-site VPN Tunnels for new sites.

• Responsible for Hardware and Software Asset Inventory and Licensing.

• Managed all IT staff. Recruited and managed contract IT staff for project works.

• Conducted User Training Sessions to educate Staff. Advised users on any changes to the system. Assisted users on system use and the various methods to access system when off-site.

• Ability to plan, prioritise and organise work within an environment of change and conflicting demands.

• Documented the IT Infrastructure. Prepared technical reports on systems operation.

• Coordinated work of support staff and training in system use and access.

• Management and configuration of PABX and Voicemail (120 extensions). GSM units.

Education History

FROM - TO SCHOOL ATTENDED STUDYING

 July to Dec 2022 TAFE Queensland, Gold Coast 2 modules from Diploma in IT

2020 - 2021 TAFE Queensland, Loganlea Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care

1998 - 1999 Griffith College Dublin, South Circular Road, Dublin 8, Ireland Software Engineer

1996 - 1997 Loretto Business College, Saint Stephens Green, Dublin 2, Ireland Teacher Trainer Certificate in IT

1995 - 1996 Rapid Results College, 40 Upr. Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2, Ireland Economics and Banking in Ireland

1994 - 1995 College of Commerce, Main Street, Dundrum, Dublin 14, Ireland Diploma in IT

1979 - 1994 Notre Dame Des Missions Primary and Secondary Schools. Leaving Certificate 1994