Alumni Profiles

Willem (Buddy) PORTIER

• Graduated :

  1973

Description

I started my Army career in 1973 at OCS Portsea. After graduating I joined RAEME and was attached to 3^rd MD Victoria Barracks. It was from here that I attended CIT from 1974 to 1978 to do a degree in Mechanical Engineering. In 1978 I was posted to Melbourne Worksop Company and subsequently resigned in 1979. In 1980 I attended Victoria University (FIT) to do a Bachelor of Applied Science. I was employed in 1984 by the University as a research assistant and laboratory manager. This grew into further job working as a sport scientist with the Sport Performance Network from 1985 to 1990. In 1990 I was recruited by the Late Professor Frank Pyke to work at the Victorian Institute of Sport as a Sport Scientist and as the Head Coach of the Swimming Program. I stayed with the Institute until April 2002. During the Late nineties I felt the walls of bureaucracy caving in on me so I needed a platform to step onto so with a partner we bought a swim school and that was in 1997. My business partner basically managed the school. By 2002 when I departed Institute of Sport we bought our second swim school. We now have 3 swim schools in Bulleen, Camberwell and Sth Yarra. To keep myself busy during the last 10 years I dabbled in property development both domestically and internationally in a bid to set myself up to hopefully retire with a hobby that will keep me busy.

Awards:

1985:         The International Youth for Understanding Award

1996:         Outstanding Achievements in Sport Science – Swimming Australia

1998:         Life Membership – Australian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association

2000:         Australian Sports Medal – Outstanding Achievements in Sport

On a personal level, I have been married twice so far with four fantastic step children Chelsea, Emma, Ben and Candice.  Below is a current photo my partner Patricia and myself.