I've been interested in astronomy for as long as I can remember. I purchased my first 'proper' telescope more than 10 years ago to enjoy the 18 hour winter darkness and lack of light pollution in Canada's remote arctic north. When I moved to the UK I linked in with the Abingdon Astronomical Society, where I assisted on the executive, and served as the Oxfordshire Representative of the Campaign for Dark Skies. I moved to New Zealand in February 2005 in order to take up a position as a High School Maths, English and Physical Education teacher in an environment that was perfect for astronomy. My favourite astronomical activity is hunting for Deep Space Objects. I was featured on the cover and first article of the September 2006 quarterly journal of the RASNZ. In July I was elected to the Council of the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand. I am also the treasurer of my local Astronomy Club - Northland Astronomical Society - on the opposite coast.

I have been interested in Astronomy ever since I was a wee fella. Last year I took an NCEA Astronomy class offered to local adults and high school students at Dargaville High School. I have completed my practical astronomy work with Deborah on site at the Skydome Observatory. I enjoy lunar astronomy and like observing the constellations.

My interest in astronomy began when I ground a six-inch mirror at age twelve. In my twenties, I was a navigator on ocean-going sailboats, having taught myself celestial navigation. I was deputy principal of Lahainaluna High School in Hawaii and, for 18 years, owned private tuition schools for mathematics in Auckland and Whangarei. In 1999 I won the New Zealand Millenium Sundial Competition with an entry for a sixty-foot, civil time, equatorial dial. I enjoy the skies, not only at night, but also during the day, as an avid paraglider pilot at Baylys Beach, the best coastal site in New Zealand.

When I was 9 years old I read about a total solar eclipse in a school library book. It was to be in 1999 - 25 years into the future. It captured my imagination and sparked off my interest in the heavens. I've had a small telescope from an early age to explore the night sky, and have recently purchased an 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain. I finally got to see that eclipse in 1999, and have been mesmerised since, travelling the world to see others. You can read more and see photos and a video here. I work in industrial X-ray inspection and have recently had the honour of helping in a new CT examination of the Antikythera Mechanism, possibly the world's first ever astronomical computer - over 2000 years old.