Wood Working/ Carpentry

Hello, my name is Brian McDonald and I live with my wife Shelley in Caloundra.  We have been married for 51 years, September 11, 2022.

One of my goals in life is to help others reach their full potential, by providing good role modelling, information and practical guidance from my skill-set and gifting.

I completed my primary and high schooling at Mitchelton in Brisbane, and afterwards went on to secure trade qualifications in the metal working industry.

I worked in my trade for two years before applying for a Manual Arts position with the Education Department Queensland.

I pursued this position because I love to use my hands to create items, and also sense a feeling of achievement and responsibility when I impart my practical knowledge and guidance to those who are receptive.

I graduated from Teachers College after one year because I had trade qualifications.

Shelley and I were married prior to my entry into Teachers College, after which my first teaching appointment was to Mitchelton High.

Our son Daniel (Dan), our first child, was born during this time at Mitchelton.

He is now 48 years on age and is a Fire Fighter (Officer), in charge of a crew of men.

My teaching career took me from Brisbane to Charleville High (3 yrs), then to Caloundra High (17 yrs), then onto Caloundra

Christian College (3 yrs), and for 17 yrs at Glasshouse Christian College.

Unfortunately, this year 2022, my teaching role at Glasshouse College was terminated because I was not willing to violate my personal code of ethics in submitting to vaccine mandates.

During the first year at Charleville our daughter Ellen was born. She is now 47 years of age and is a Pilates Instructor.

Our family has grown over the years, and we have three granddaughters and two grandsons.

I became interested in sport at the age of seven, and represented my school (Mitchelton) in rugby league for the next six years.  

The final year of primary school was the most exciting, as I was captain of the team that went through the year undefeated.

During that same year I was selected to play for Brisbane against Toowoomba, Ipswich, Central Qld and Wide Bay teams at Lang Park, (now Suncorp stadium.)

I continued playing Rugby League and at age 19 I was selected to play for Western Suburbs club in Brisbane at C grade level.

The following year was more exciting as I was chosen to play A grade in the wing position.

The year after was even more exciting as I was selected to play for Brisbane and Queensland (A grade) against New South Wales.

The games took place at the Exhibition grounds and Lang Park.

After the exciting events that took place over the past few years, my sporting career came to an abrupt halt as my right knee was badly damaged.

For 5 years, during my football days, I was a member of the Maroochydore Surf Lifesavers Club.

I represented QLD in beach sprinting and our beach relay and sprint team won many Queensland titles and some Australian titles. 

I am excited to become a part of CCALFA Carpentry Team and look forward to “getting involved with students and my hands on tools creating wood projects.”

Yours faithfully

Brian McDonald