In the Spotlight

Our guest this time is Clarence Tang (who graduated from Donvale in 2002, after starting Year 2 in 1992. He has two children, Jayden (thirteen) and Hannah (three).

 

Clarence has studied Business (Accounting), and has become a financial analyst, since they are more interesting than accountants. He's worked across multiple industries including retail, biomedical, automotive, manufacturing, healthcare and agriculture to name but a few.

 

In his spare time he likes to collect and restore old 90s cars and 3D prints things. He has more cars than cousins. He is a closet geek.

What gets you out of bed on a weekday?

This thing... called work... otherwise it's my toddler who doesn't understand what a sleep in is.

What was your first paid job?

My mum worked at a TAFE and she got me a job doing odds and ends, she had a really cool manager. We were basically paid to type up some documents (actually I realise now, it was basically plagiarising ...)

Thinking back to your years at Donvale, what do you know now that you wish you’d known then?

Make more friends, stay in touch with them. There's benefit in having wide and multiple friendship circles.

Who in the public eye would you most and least like to work with?

I can't think of who I'd like to work for - but I don't want to work for anyone in politics, because everyone has an opinion.

 What is the strangest situation you have been in at work?

I had to do a fire evacuation drill once... from the 39th floor... on foot. I actually enjoyed it.

Who would you most like to be stuck in a lift with?

Can't think of anyone in particular, but someone who is calm, funny, a good conversationalist - and can lead the conversation with talking as I'd rather be the listener.

What book are you reading at the moment?

I made an attempt at reading novels before bed but I'd rather sleep. So now I just mindlessly browse and read articles. Hey, at least I can admit it ...

What was the last CD you bought? (Or album streamed!)

The last physical CD was Michael Jackson - Blood on the Dance Floor. During my high school years.

What song will always get you on the dance floor?

Not necessarily dance floor - but Gangsta's Paradise by Coolio will get me to sing.

Where is your favourite place in the world?

I haven't finished exploring but I did really like Africa, especially encountering elephants at the Sheldrick elephant orphanage, just outside Nairobi. I’ll be going back to Kenya in September – a special place!