About Robert Verstandig

Robert Verstandig was born in the small sugar cane town of Babinda in Far North Queensland, Australia. After completing High School in Innisfail (a nearby town), he worked for a short time as a Printer / Compositor for the local newspaper, the Innisfail Advocate. In June 1981 he left the newspaper to work as a labourer in the Babinda Sugar Mill until December of that year when he enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force.

During his service with the RAAF he trained as a qualified Avionics Fitter specializing in instrumentation and also qualified as a Flight Fitter on Iroquois helicopters. He travelled widely during his enlistment both around Australia and overseas to such places as the Sinai, Egypt and Papua New Guinea. Towards the end of his 6 year enlistment term he began to get involved with the newly released IBM Business and Personal Computers and decided that this was where he wanted to direct his career efforts. Before leaving the RAAF he completed several TAFE courses and a Diploma in Computer Programming and Data Processing and obtained a certificate in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering. Robert was married in 1987.

After leaving the RAAF in 1987, Robert joined a small CAD company in Townsville North Queensland called CADNET Australia. He was employed there as a programmer / analyst, supporting and developing applications for the AutoCAD software suite. This company eventually merged with the leading IBM Marketing contractor in Townsville, APT Computer Consultants. Robert was absorbed into the company still working as a developer. Because of the electrical and electronics background he gained during his service in the RAAF, he was also able to support the Chief Technician at APT, assembling and installing computer systems, peripherals and networks for APT's business clients.

In mid 1989 Robert resigned from APT then worked as an IT contractor, supporting a number of business and government clients around Townsville. In December of that year he moved to Brisbane with his wife where he gained employment with the University of Queensland as a PC Support Officer in the Prentice Computer Centre. Here he provided computing and technical support to the University departments, staff and students.

In early 1992 Robert left the University to join a leading computer components manufacturer, Stallion Technologies, who were based in Brisbane. Here Robert was employed as a Technical Support Engineer providing level 3 support to Stallion's Dealer and Distributor network throughout Australia. In addition to this he provided technical support to Stallions in-house hardware and software engineers and the Stallion US sales office. While working with this company Robert obtained his Novell Certified Engineer qualification.

Robert left Stallion in July, 1997 after accepting a position as Team Leader, PC Support with the Papua New Guinea Banking Corporation in Papua New Guinea. During the two and a half years he worked for PNGBC he also held positions as the Banks Network Security and Administration Manager and Senior Project Manager. He was responsible for the design and implementation of the Bank's IP routed network. Robert obtained his Microsoft Certified Professional certificate while in employment with the Bank. In October 1999 he resigned from PNGBC and moved to the United Kingdom with his wife and two children.

After a short break, Robert accepted employment with Viewgate Networks in November 1999. Viewgate were then market leaders in the development and marketing of real-time network monitoring and reporting software for major telecommunications carriers in the UK. Robert was employed as the company's Network Manager and was responsible for all aspects of Viewgate's computing and communications environment providing support to two offices in Kent, a sales office in Staines and the USA. He also installed, configured and maintained the company's Cisco Router Laboratories which were used heavily in the development of Viewgate's products.

After spending two years in the UK with Viewgate Robert returned to Perth, Australia. He worked briefly as a systems support contractor until finding employment with the Department of Exploration Geophysics at Curtin University. During this time he obtained his Cisco CCNA certification. At Curtin he supported the department's staff and students, several Windows based PC Laboratories and Windows and UNIX servers as well as a variety of other equipment. Robert currently resides in Perth with his wife and two children.