David Vert

Born 1954, nine years after World War II, I was around through the 60's, 70's, 80's.... mmm... well you get the picture. Leaving the trade school I attended when I was 16 I was unable to procure an apprenticeship in carpentry so through my life I wandered and followed that unknown wind we all follow and it was quite a journey.

I've worked as a postman and a telephonist. I've dug trenches, picked fruit, drove taxis and delivery vans. I've worked on farms, in bakeries, and as a cleaner.

I've trained and worked as a nurse’s aide, was a storeman and in sales; for a short time I attended the Salvation Army theological college. I've been a fire extinguisher serviceman, an assistant manager of KFC stores in Sydney and finally in 1989, at the age of 35 I went back to college to be a qualified computer programmer and consultant.

From there I trained as a part time teacher and taught at various TAFE (Australian adult education) colleges including the course I graduated from. I was a computer systems officer, ran my own computer training, programming and consultancy business. I worked for software houses in Sydney and on a help-desk at Microsoft at North Ryde.

Then in 2000, after ten years in the computer industry I landed a full-time job as Computer Systems Officer / Network Administrator. The dream job but unfortunately nine months later I was overloaded with so much work it hit me with depression and forced me into early retirement.

In 2013, after thirteen years fighting the 'black dog' I began to see a small light at the end of the tunnel. A light that would help me move forward and find a new direction - writing.

We all have our own battles that sometimes turn into nightmares. This is my fight and one I still wrestle with everyday.