A mid-life sea change

Have you ever entertained the idea of ditching your career of what feels like a lifetime, and starting from scratch, doing something you love?

Dave McKenzie, 53, owner of Horizon Shores Marina based vessel repair and refurbishment business, Marine Team Australia did exactly that.

After spending the majority of his professional career as a private contractor in supervisory and management positions on construction and mining projects, Dave and his partner Jane agreed it was time for a change.

“My last contract had finished, and Jane and I had just sold a house on the Gold Coast that we spent way too long and too much money renovating,” explained Dave.

“Having always worked away from home, Jane felt it was time for a change, and I agreed, but only if it was something I was really interested in.

“So that narrowed it down to boats, wine, food or coffee.

“I was researching them all when the ad for Marine Team Australia popped up on Google.”

Dave grew up on the South Coast of the South Island of New Zealand, surrounded by boats, fishing and diving.

Struggling to remember a time when he wasn’t on or around the water, Dave said the sea has always been a part of his life.

“My passion for boats was ignited as a kid. Depending on the season, if it wasn’t rugby or skiing, it was “Can we take the boat out?”, said Dave.

“Dad nearly always had a boat, even if at times it was only a dinghy for floundering in the estuaries.”

At the time, Dave wasn’t sure if he was ready to take the plunge into business ownership, but as soon as he met the crew at Marine Team Australia, a business that started more than 20 years ago, he knew he had found the refreshing change he’d been searching for.

“The people I work with, and our clients are the best part of my job,” Dave said.

“The team here is dedicated to making sure the clients’ best interests are always met.

“It is the only place I have ever worked where we can sit down with a client and actually tell them that as much as we would love their business, we don’t think you should be doing this or that, or have you thought about doing it this way as it will give you a better result or save you a few dollars.

“By the same token, if the guys tell a client they really need something done, and done properly, they mean it.

“It’s a great little set up.”

Dave credits working with such a knowledgeable and experienced team as the reason his transition to the marine industry has been smooth sailing, even if the steep learning curve leads to frustration at times.

“Even though I have good knowledge, there is so much more to learn,” said Dave.

“I am blessed to have great mentors.”

These mentors are Brad, Graham, Gail and newcomer Neil.

“Brad and Graham are so knowledgeable, and true craftsman,” said Dave.

Brad is a shipwright, and the Marine Team Australia encyclopedia. He has been in the industry more than 30 years, and owned and refurbished his own boats in all of that time.

“To listen to him talk to a client about their boat, or things to watch out for in a particular brand is a real privilege and delight,” said Dave.

Graham has been building and repairing fiberglass boats for more than 25 years. He can tell you the good, the bad and the ugly in most glass boats, and repair anything better than original.

Neil has recently joined the team after many years working in the Cairns Shipyard, so the Marine Team Australia vessels are quite a bit smaller than the ones he used to play with.

Gail runs administration and accounts, and can talk boats with the best of them. She has a long history with the marine industry from working shark boats off the coast to being a partner in her own boat building business, and later working for marine supply agencies.

Dave’s advice to those considering a career change later in life: You are never too old to have a career change.

“Find something you love, do your homework and don’t be scared (that will come later!)

“If you’re passionate about it, you will make it work.”

To learn more about Marine Team Australia visit www.marineteamaustralia.com.au or https://www.facebook.com/marineteamaustralia/