Surf Life Saver Profile - Week 14

Published: January 19, 2023 Last Updated: January 19, 2023

Welcome Mick and thanks for sharing with us

So let’s get deep and meaningful straight up

 

Q – How long have you been in Coolum Surf Life Saving Club and what  motivated you to volunteer your time?

Originally joined in 2008, then had a 10 year hiatus, rejoined about five years ago wanting to put back into this beautiful community and feel this is a great way to do it, as well as hang out at the beach with my family. 

 

Q – Is your experience so far what you thought it would be?

Yes and no. I think the biggest difference is the people and friendships I have made are beyond my expectations. I love hanging with these amazing people in paradise. 

 

On a lighter side

Q – Where did you grow up? (Assuming you’ve grown up)

I am a 45 year grom, I haven’t grown up. 

But when it comes to my childhood, it was the western suburbs of Sydney in a small town called Cattai. Left there for the coast 25 years ago. Best thing about Sydney is the road to Coolum.

 

Q – What’s the best job you’ve ever had?

My current job, hands down. I fly an aeroplane low level over the beaches and islands all around Australia as far north as PNG and as far west as Exmouth looking for turtles, turtle tracks, dugongs, dolphins and whales for marine research departments within the government and universities. I invented a camera system that attaches to an aeroplane that has an array of multiple cameras setup to be able to detect marine species from the air from an aircraft that is pipelined through humans while we train A.I. species recognition algorithms.  A single day we will fly over 1200km of coastline low level. My company is currently developing a system that is fully autonomous image recognition, replacing human spotters with robot cameras and computer recognition....  Training the future cyberdyne systems to take over humans, while flying over the beach... I can't imagine a better job. 

 

Q – Any nicknames?

Mickie

 

Q – Any Hobbies?

Brazilian JiuJitsu. I compete regularly in national level competition fights. Also kitesurfing, surfing and swimming. 

 

Q – Favourite Music/Musician/Band

Any alternative 90's rock, or electro trance when working on the computer. 

 

Q – Can you cook and what’s your favourite dish to prepare?

Does breakfast cereal count? I make a snap crackle and popping bowl of rice bubbles. 

 

Q – Final & Life defining Question…. Pineapple on Pizza, Yes or No??

Ha! My wife grew up in Italy so for her it's a firm religious no. I don't think she is reading this, so I feel safe admitting that pineapples on pizza are without a doubt the best thing since breakfast cereal. 

 (Yayy!)

 

Thanks for sharing with us Mick, I’m gonna grab my dictionary so I can figure out exactly what it is you just told us.  Cheers Mate.