Last Tuesday evening, we all "zoomed" in to hear about our own Mark Howlett in his Member Behind the Badge talk. Mark's work has allowed him some exciting work challenges throughout the world. The boy from country Victoria has lived and worked in Papua New Guinea, New York and China.
Mark was raised in Tooradin, Victoria, attending both primary and secondary school there before adventuring to the big smoke for a tertiary education. He lived on campus at Monash University while completing a Mechanical Engineering degree. lt wasn't all study as he met new friends and had fun times!
Upon completing his studies, Mark's first assignment overseas was in Bougainville as a Project Engineer for 2 and a half years, a place he found most idyllic place for water sports, in particular scuba diving.The next expat assignment was in New York, with wife, Donna. Donna was part of an IVF new start up company. Whilst in NYC for 4 years Mark completed an MBA at New York University.
Mark's third assignment overseas was in Shanghai China as MD of the Asia Pacific region for a global manufacturing company. A demanding job, but Mark loved Shanghai.
Today, Mark is retired and well and truly settled back in Melbourne, keeping busy with his wife,three daughters and enjoying squash and pursuing his love for motorcycles. He is also heavily involved with voluntary work, firstly with Whitelion, an organisation supporting young people at risk by providing role modelling , employment, and specialist outreach support, and secondly with Solve Disability Solutions, a NFP organisation designing and building custom aids for people with disabilities, where he is the current President.
We look forward to Mark joining our board as this year's lnternational Service Director.
Lyn Kneale
Mark's favourite country to visit for work was India