BRISBANE CONNECT BIOGRAPHIES
MARK SANDFORD
CONNECT COORD
EXPERIENCE
I have been flying for 22 years, the last 12 of which have been with Virgin Australia. I am also an instructor with the Virgin Australia NTS training department, which has been a wonderful confluence of my two careers, in my passion for human and health sciences as they apply to the aviation environment.
BACKGROUND
Before flying, I was a health care professional, which gave me a good grounding in people skills and a great work ethic. I developed a particular interest in mental health and wellbeing and I did a lot of extra training in these areas, learning from professionals in a range of disciplines. I developed training programs for my colleagues to help them in managing their clients who were suffering from some very advanced mental health conditions, and for their own wellbeing in working in a very stressful environment.
SITUATION
I am married and have one teenage son, and I commute from Brisbane to my base in Sydney.
RELATED INTEREST/S
My particular interest is helping people who have suffered victimisation and bullying. I have experienced the trauma of these myself and I understand well the impact it has on life, sometimes for many years afterwards.
EXPERIENCE / BACKGROUND
I have been with Virgin for 17 years with 40 years experience in the aviation industry, 31 years flying, and prior to that, 9 years in ATC.
SITUATION
I have been married, but divorced now for 13 years, no children, but a great love of animals. I commuted to Melbourne for 8 and a half years, so understand the strains associated with that. I lost a brother to cancer a couple of years ago, and I have another brother with cancer
RELATED INTEREST/S
I’ve had experience with a drug addict, and I have someone in my life with clinical depression and on long term antidepressants.
LOUISE HUDSON
EXPERIENCE / BACKGROUND
I have been employed in the aviation industry for 24 years, the last 16 with Virgin.
SITUATION
I chose to stop flying in 2006 due to health reasons and returned in 2010. I then commuted to SYD for 5 and a half years. Most recently I have experienced some time on long term sick leave, including negotiating the loss of licence claims process.
RELATED INTERESTS
I am especially interested in providing support and guidance to colleagues as they undergo training, upgrades, transfers and return to work processes.I balance my work life with time enjoyed at home with my husband and pottering in the garden.