About Michael

Hello, its Michael,

My career dates back to the 1970s. Having completed my Masters at Sydney University, my first venture into computers and software was with "Alcoa of Australia" in Geelong. I was a 'Systems Engineer' and worked on the advanced process control computer "IBM 1800" controlling the pot line at Point Henry, Victoria.

From 1973-1975, I was Project Manager for the Sydney-based company 'Data Technology' building the total system for the Gladstone Power Station. At the time, this was a $1.2M project involving DEC Computers, running the RSX Operating system controlling Digital I/O devices controlling all aspects of the Power Station.

In 1975 I was seconded to the Hong Kong Government as consultant for the implementation of the UK Company, GEC's West Kowloon Traffic Control System.

In 1977, I co-founded "RCP Consulting," a Hong Kong-based application software house, along with two Australian colleagues. RCP, (the P stands for Price), specialised in software apps for the Datapoint range of mini computers. In 1978 I bought out my two partners as they redirected their focus to their Australian operations.

The period 1978 - 1983 saw significant advances and achievements in software systems for Hotels, Stockbrokers, Finance Companies, and sales of source codes of systems to the US and Japan.

I returned to Melbourne, Australia in April, 1983 and setup Datasphere Systems with my colleague Jeff Rosenberg. We enjoyed rapid growth in developing systems for Budget Rent-a-Car, Kelly Maxwell Electrical Retailers and Caltex Petroleum Australia to name a few. I retained a consulting role at RCP, with systems being installed in Singapore and Thailand.

Personal developments and health issues curtailed the operations in Melbourne and having survived Y2K and the introduction of GST, I relocated to Sydney.

From 2011 my efforts were directed to Film School and support services to a select set of clients.

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Accepting the reality . . .

So with my background in Physics, Computers, software, and training, I felt "Let's see what I can do in this area". It was here that I learned of QIMR, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, and their research programs. "check out their web page", https://www.qimrberghofer.edu.au/

As I have Parkinson's and recalling the various assignments I've had to provide, and knowing the feelings one has as a student, I elected to deploy this experience, to develop Webinars with the aim of sharing my knowledge and contributing to the QIMR's research in managing and living with Parkinson's.

The webinars as outlined are designed to introduce new challenges, allow one to be creative, to provide individuals who are restricted in their activities on account of Parkinson's, an environment whereby new skills can be acquired, new acquaintances be made, and enable contributions to QIMR .

In late 2019, my GP suggested, when I queried him "Why does my hand shake?"

He cautiously replied, "It could be as simple as an involuntary Tremor or it might be PARKINSON's Disease".
"That's a disease that I do not want to have", I responded.

So, possibly you can relate ...

I took his advice and agreed to see a neurologist, be it albeit 4 weeks later.

With this information, my first reaction was one of total denial.

I've been healthy, and I'm relatively fit, so why should this be a possibility?

I made the appointment and my friendly neurologist examined me as they do, had me have a CT scan and then, when I suggested "So I have the 'onset' of Parkinson's?" he stated in a no-uncertain tone,
"No sir, NO ONSET, . . . you have Parkinson's disease, and, . . . it can be treated"

It cannot be cured but you can live with it. This set me back, psychologically;

I have lived with a gradual increase in symptoms, one of my doctor friends noticed it early and I confided in him.

Slowly I searched the web, exploring what the consequences were, where it could lead and what do people with Parkinson's do . . .

Probably the most incredible

is of course Michael J. Fox

Check out this extract:

Why Parkinson's?

I started to realize that some aspects of my body were a bit different, my right leg did not feel as strong as it used to, I think, (maybe still, not sure) that my thinking was not as robust as it was, my bowel movements were not as regular and then, there are those sublimable figures out of the corner of my eyes and there was (is) nothing there . . .

My dreams are so much sharper but, I have difficulty in recalling the details of what they were about, but through all of this, the everyday events and activities remain as they were and my responses and interactions were just as effective . . .

So, as I was getting used to it, and as all the information about how to handle it, is readily available on the web, I recalled what my GP and neurologist had told me, "accept it and wear it, there is a lot to get on with . . ."

The Government has access to users of certain drugs, drugs managing Parkinson's for example, and it offers opportunities, to such recipients to partake in research projects. This appealed to me and I elected to partake.

Experience - Extracts

2016 -2023

Consultant

Movie Maker Mentor, Teacher

Supporter

In 2016, I enrolled, as a full-time student at Sydney Film School, learning the art of filmmaking and developing skills in scriptwriting, video editing, Directing and Producing films, and the associated tasks of self-management in creating the fully finished products. I have deployed these skills in later years by making a variety of short personal videos capturing the pleasures of exciting special moments of family, friends, and life experiences.

With my onset of Parkinson's, I have developed techniques that aid my ongoing management in the making of short videos and so am able to continue, even with Parkinson's.

I soon learned that I am not alone in this area and so here is a platform for learning, sharing, and supporting others who wish to acquire such skills. QIMR was quick to offer support and so we fundraise for QIMR and contribute to the research they undertake to better manage and hopefully prevent the ongoing distress accompanying the disease.

1998 - 2015

Reframed, relocated & changed operations of Datasphere.

This was a period of reframing, YES . . . it took a few years to recover from the breakdown of the marriage, and the events following the "Heart Attack" in December 1998.

My business and life partner chose to leave all relationships and so altered every aspect of the business, my personal life, and that of my children.

In the wake of surviving the heart attack, there arose a number of software issues; at the end of the year, 1999 Y2K software changes for 660+Caltex Service stations plus 150 odd miscellaneously badged service station operators had to be addressed.

Six months later, on June 30th, 2000 at Midnight, all retail outlets nationwide, had to convert from 'Sales Tax' to 'GST' on specified items. This event was totally mismanaged by Caltex and gave rise to a plethora of software complications for the remainder of the year.

Caltex sought to force compliance to unreasonable software demands with protracted delays in payments for the needed services. This was aimed at driving Datasphere to the wall and so acquiring access and acquisition of Datasphere's source codes at no cost. Datasphere, with the help of third parties, was able to negotiate a settlement that forced Datasphere to scale back operations and in order to continue had to cut back all aspects of its business.

Managing a way through it all resulted in a severely changed lifestyle. My emphasis switched to rowing and adjusting to life in the country. Four years were spent feeding steers and raising chickens and geese, on a 50-acre hobby farm in north Victoria.

I was able to retain a handful of loyal clients and continued to provide software, support services and consultancy services from the farm.

1983 - 1998
Australian & SE Asian businesses boom, Budget Rent-a-Car,
Caltex, Hong Kong Peninsula Hotels, Hoare Govett Stock Brokers

This period saw significant growth in Australian and South East Asian software businesses.

I returned to Australia in 1983, and together with a personal friend, Jeff Rosenberg setup Datasphere Systems in Melbourne; Datasphere, like RCP of Hong Kong, wrote bespoke software (nowadays its called ‘APPS’) for clients.

We wrote Software Systems for a range of clients, including Melbourne’s Electrical Retailer "Kelly Maxwell", Budget Rent-a-Car, under Bob Ansett, Caltex Petroleum Australia, amongst others.

I continued as a director to RCP in Hong Kong where RCP secured BP, and Caltex Thailand, the Marco Polo Hotel Singapore and Quantel Computers in Singapore. Hong Kongs’ leading stockbroker, Hoare Govett, commissioned RCP to write its Contract Note System (CNS). All major Hong Kong Stock Brokers licensed the RCP software.

Late in 1985, the Peninsula Group of Hotels commissioned Datasphere and RCP to jointly write the Front Office system for all their hotels. RCP formed a joint venture (Hotelier Systems Limited) with USA Computer Manufacturer DataPoint Corporation, San Antonio, to enhance the RCP Front Office systems for world wide marketing by Hotelier Systems. Proprietary Software Source codes were sold to Pearl Cruises of Scandinavia USA, and to finance organizations in Hong Kong and Japan.

RCP and Datasphere enjoyed a high profile in the media.

1970 - 1983
Alcoa of Australia, Project Manager Data Technology Gladstone Power station, Seconded to Hong Kong Government Setup RCP Systems for Jardines; Hong Kong Hotels Quota Control HK TICD Travel Systems

My working career started in 1970. I was employed by Alcoa of Australia as a Systems Engineer. I probably learnt my most important lesson on the job. As a Systems engineer we all had varying responsibilities. It was over my first Christmas on the job, I was assigned the task of commissioning the conversion of a suite of programs governing the operation of all the “Pots” a large crucible (250 in all ) in which the Alumina is converted by electrolysis to molten hot liquid aluminum. process in upgrading the system software for the major Geelong. I was a 'Systems Engineer' and worked on the advanced process control computer "IBM 1800" controlling the pot line at Point Henry, Victoria.