Mark Turnbull OAM
Current role: Director
Current organsiation: New Tack Events
What sport did you hold a scholarship for at VIS: Sailing
Time as VIS athlete: 1998 - 2004
Tell us about your life after your time as an athlete at the VIS?
After retiring from Olympic Sailing in 2004 there was a period of readjustment from a single minded athlete to a 'normal' life of less discipline. Fortunately sailing is a sport for life, thus I was able to continue to participate but at a different level.
'Retiring' is probably the wrong term for a 28-year old - but is a transition to something new, and for me it was important to be able to use some of the skills picked up after 8 years of Olympic sailing. Prior to my Olympic sailing, I had already completed studies at Melbourne University (Bachelor of Building and Bachelor of Planning and Design) and had started a career in Project Management. However, going back to this role felt like going backwards, so I transitioned into event management and worked on a large global event called the Volvo Ocean Race. This was a full on experience but great in hindsight. It felt that I was busier than ever, but after a few years swore never to work in major events again and I moved to Indec Consulting as a Project Manager, mainly on Government projects and departments. This was a more typical corporate role but did not have the buzz and excitement of being an athlete or in events.
Therefore, I established my own event management company - New Tack Events. This was the best situation where I could use my professional skills whilst working in sailing, public events and importantly with my sporting / sailing contacts and network and do something I enjoy. An added benefit was being my own boss.
I continue to run New Tack Events today to deliver other event owners events, but also now creating my own Series of events called SAILING Champions League: Asia Pacific.
What’s the one career achievement you’re most proud of?
The decision to move from being an employee in a Consulting Firm to running my own event management business.
What’s the most valuable lesson you learnt during your career as an athlete at the VIS?
For me, it was deciding to change careers into events. I felt it was a better fit and utilised the skills and experience gained from being an athlete at the VIS.
