Prior to arriving in Mansfield as a newly retired academic, I was variously a tropical ecologist, environmental consultant and academic researcher in far north Qld. I have managed national parks, crocodile and cassowary conservation and advised government agencies on mining, industrial, urban and infrastructure expansion . Leaving that behind upon arriving south of the border, I then reinvented myself, setting up and running a successful ski lodge for 8 years. In early 2020 I sold that and bought High Country Maze, which at the time was very run down and in need of significant work. During 18 months of Covid lockdown I project managed the building of a licensed café and an art gallery in addition to getting 2 ha of neglected gardens back into shape.