What area of your state are you responsible for? I audit anywhere in Victoria

Fun facts about Michelle: I play mum to four outgoing and hilarious children who love to holiday as much as I do. Send me to a place with warm sun, drinks with umbrellas and a masseuse and you’ll meet my happiest self.

I’m terrible at pottery but enjoy it, I make an amazing lamb roast and in winter you’ll find me snuggled up by the fire with the family, board games and a sneaky shiraz.

Qualifications/ Degrees/ Certificates/ Participation trophies: I beat Glen at lawn bowls… that’s all anyone needs to know 😊

My previous work life has been in Early Childhood and Aged Care settings. I’ve managed remote nursing homes, quality and compliance departments and advised Boards and Commonwealth panels on how to deliver high-quality care to our most vulnerable members of society.

Training and qualifications from my past life include finance, workplace health and safety, early childhood, training and assessing, leadership, quality improvement, risk management, project management and auditing.

Since joining the playground industry I’ve obtained my level 3 playground auditing and impact attenuation testing competencies. I’m a legislation and Australia standards nerd!

Favourite thing about working in the Playground Industry: The ability to create amazing spaces for children and knowing that the environments we provide are not only for enjoyment while playing but more importantly, they assist in their long-term physical, cognitive and social development.

I also get to work with an incredibly talented group of people in team Vic!

Favourite project: I’m loving our ninja warrior courses at the moment. They provide a huge range of play value but also for a child on the autism spectrum, the course can give a structured approach and assists in learning ‘how’ to play and engage in the playground environment.

Favourite piece of equipment and why? My favourite piece of equipment growing up was a trampoline that Santa bought us. In winter it could be a mini ice rink, on a sunny day it was a great place to read a book with my sister, and when feeling super adventurous it was a great wrestling ring with my two brothers. I’m sure my parents only knew of its benefits for asthmatic children but with all great playground pieces, children’s imaginations can create so many more possibilities.