Chris grew up in the Sydney suburb of Fairfield which was an are for new migrants such as  Polish, Greek, Jewish, and Italian.

 
At university Chris completed his Honours in Physics and his PhD in astrophysics and ice physics in researching the growth condition of clouds.

Chris came to what is now Curtain University to undertake both teaching and research. The research was on the mixing depth for pollutants in the atmosphere which is only 500 meters.

Chris then made the change to the IT business.  Chris still retains a great respect and appreciation for the rigor of the scientific method.

Chris in his years in IT gradually moved from the technical to non technical side of the industry. 

 

Chris left Perth with his partner to work in Europe in the late 1980s. In Essex Chris worked for an insurance company, and then moved to London and worked in IT as a System Architect.

 

Europe was an interesting time, especially being at the Brandenburg Gate only six weeks after the Berlin Wall came down. To visit he Auschwtiz camp and due to circumstances having the spend the night there in the hotel situated in the camp.

1990s Chris was back in in Australia. Chris was working as a Consultant in firms offering nontechnical help finding the role of computer software that met the organisation's requirements.

 

This work required workshops with the clients looking at the organisation's people and processes. This was stressful work which was engaging in new areas for organisations. 

Some of the projects that Chris worked on were: Alcoa's centralized payroll system. Department of Transports licensing system. Trellis program in government.  Fremantle Port's projects such as developing and then training in the dangerous cargo 2007 system which had to include all applicable rules and regulations. BHP expanding new infrastructure. Environmental offsets in public registrar for the department. 

 

It was all about looking at process and then developing the software then testing that software.

One of Chris' last tasks was to try and develop a big package for a business that did not know what they really wanted.

Chris recommends that organisations look to the existing software packages out there today before trying to tailor their own.

 

Three years ago Chris entered into his retirement. Chris is thankful for his life, a fortunate life, especially that he has not had to experience war. Chris' parents who from Ireland experienced conflict. Free of that and comfortable here hence Chris has a focus on  community and social justice. Chris has been associated with Community Aid Abroad. Chris ran a local volunteer group that is now Oxfam. Chris is active in CARAD (Coalition for Asylum Seekers Refugees and Detainees) with his involvement being that of organizing volunteers and helping migrants.

 
Chris currently enjoys travel with his partner Karen. Music and arts, especially chamber and orchestra music. Chris and Karen are Fremantle Dockers members.