ABOUT ROSE
About me
I picked up a hammer at 15 and quickly realised the satisfaction of building something with my hands was definitely for me. At 18, I built my first house and in my twenties I set up my own business as a builder/carpenter - that was 30 years ago and counting...
During that time I have become highly proficient in many different aspects of building, including tiling, painting, first and second fix carpentry, roofing, pergolas and decks, and much more. And... talking about counting... I still have all my fingers and toes, so I must have been doing something right!
I enjoyed teaching Home Maintenance for Women at the WEA for 20 years as it always made me smile when women said "I can't believe it's not that hard!" I've mentored female high school students, helping them to explore opportunities to become a tradesperson, and participated in the Tradeswomen-on-the-Move project which involved talking to groups of young women in schools to let them know they had trade career options. I am regularly asked to speak to groups and at community events because of my experience of being a female working in the building industry.
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I've also travelled to Nepal to build a bamboo house with Habitat for Humanity and written a regular DIY column for a local newspaper. Since 2007 I have been presenting About the House with Rose Squire on ABC 891, helping listeners with DIY problems and sharing my tips for using duct tape.
I'm on a mission!
I want you to be confident to tackle a new project, manage your home repair jobs, use power tools with confidence and be safe - that's what my classes are all about.
Learn at your own pace and be safe while you do it
Everyone works at their own pace and has their own way of learning - and my workshops are designed to allow you to do just that. You will be supported to work 'your way' as long as it's safe, and I always spend time going through the safe and right way to use each tool or technique before we get started. Then you can have a go, and have another go, until you are confident. I want you to enjoy what you're learning and take pride in your new skills.
(And by the way, there's no such thing as a silly question...)