After a year as an Engineering student at Melbourne University and National Service in RAEME, Sid entered Creswick in 1956. On graduating in 1958 he spent time at Mansfield, Corryong and Broadford before returning to Melbourne University to complete a Science Degree. He then worked on regeneration surveys at Connors Plains before taking on a caretaker role in the Research Branch tree breeding programme.

In 1964 Sid moved to the Fisheries and Wildlife Department as Reserves Manager, being involved in regenerating and enhancing wildlife habitat throughout Victoria as well as undertaking breeding studies on waterbirds. He was promoted to OIC, Wildlife Management, then Assistant Director, Wildlife, and finally Assistant Director, Field Operations.

Sid maintained contact with many FCV personnel during this time through his involvement on Land Utilisation Council sub-committees and Land Conservation Council Committees, as well as the Wildlife Reserves Investigation Committee.  The latter determined whether parcels of crown land should become State Wildlife Reserves.

When the Department of Conservation, Forest and Lands was formed in 1984, Sid was appointed Regional Manager (Warragul) and re-established contacts with many former FCV folk as well as making new ones.

Sid chose early retirement in 1988 and worked part-time in the Red Cross, allowing time for consulting and writing, which has included books for the Gould League and Oxford University Press. He was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union in 2006.