John began his professional journey in 1967 when he graduated from the VSF and was posted to the Swifts Creek Forest District. Here, he honed his skills in supervising logging, roading, fuel reduction burning and fire control, all of which added realism to his later teaching. Despite his initial focus on forestry, his interests took a significant turn towards philosophy, prompting him to pursue several higher degrees, culminating in a PhD.

His academic pursuits led him to the United Kingdom, where he balanced part-time work in forestry and land reclamation within London’s Greenbelt with his studies. He spent four fruitful years in this capacity before returning to Australia and serving in various Church areas.

John's career then took him to the University of Ballarat, where he was seconded to the Forestry School at Creswick for 13 years, teaching within the Associate Diploma of Applied Science program during a pivotal time when the core business of forestry was expanding to encompass a broader focus. This shift required him to teach a diverse range of subjects including Wildlife Management, Remote Sensing, Soil Conservation and Land Management, Extension and Interpretation Techniques, Project Management, Environment and Pollution, and Supervision.

He returned to the University of Ballarat, where he became Head of Applied Science. Later, he had the honour of being appointed the first Director and Head of La Trobe University’s Mt Buller campus, where he served for seven years until the campus closed in 2006. The unique location of this campus even allowed him the pleasure of skiing to work!

One of the significant moments of his career was presenting to the Victorian Parliament’s inquiry into the Country Fire Authority Training College at Fiskville, where he taught Forestry Principles and Practices in Fire Management. Unfortunately, health complications resulted in his early retirement from academic life.

Despite these challenges, John remained active in various capacities. He chaired education organizations, a Community Bank Steering Committee, and a public company. His contributions to higher education and governance were recognised with two Fellowships – one for higher education research and the other for company directors.

Throughout his career, John engaged in various side endeavours. He spent a decade in radio broadcasting, focusing on science and technology and featured in several films. His passion for music saw him as the lead vocalist in a dance band. He played a pivotal role in establishing a Community Bank in Mansfield and made regular appearances on regional television networks and live on the ABC’s 7:30 Report.

Looking back, John's career was a tapestry of diverse experiences, international travel, and accomplishments and the impact of his work in forestry, education and community service remains a source of pride and fulfillment.