Anne-Marie became involved in the aesthetics industry in 1994 when the company she worked for in Sydney closed its premises and moved to Queensland.

Wanting to stay in Sydney and restricted by a clause in her employment contract which stated she couldn't work for a year in the same industry, she decided to change her career path and enter the world of beauty.

She completed her Beauty Therapy qualifications in 1994 at the Academy of Advanced Beauty Therapy in Cremorne, Sydney under the tutelage of Madame Maggie Rubie. Not only did Anne-Marie pass her Beauty Therapy subjects with 100 percent honours, she also completed her International Therapy Examination Council Exams with Distinction (ITEC London). She then went on and completed her ITEC Beauty Therapy Teaching Diploma with Honours and in 2000 her international exams in CIDESCO.

Anne-Marie was offered a teaching position at the Academy of Advanced Beauty Therapy in 1995 and went on to teach many students from the college as well as About Face Academy in Sydney. In 1998 she became the Principal of Natural Health & Beauty Colleges in Parramatta, Sydney and engaged in teaching specialist subjects at the College as well as ensuring that its teaching component was fully compliant with all state government requirements. In 2000 Anne-Marie joined the Association of Professional Aestheticians of Australia (APAA) and became its National Education Officer, a post she still holds.

In 2003/2004 Anne-Marie wrote her Manual, Scientific Skin Evaluation & Skin Analysis. This is still used to teach anyone who has post-grad qualifications in Beauty Therapy on how to scientifically analyse and accurately determine various skin types and/or skin conditions. It is the only manual in Australia to have endorsements and recognition from the following:

• Dr Godfrey Wagner. He was appointed by the College of Dermatology to review the Scientific Skin Evaluation & Skin Analysis manual.
• Cancer Council Australia. David Millechap from the Queensland Cancer Council provided supporting literature as well as state-by-state contact details.
• Eczema Association of Australasia. Lynn Spoor supplied valuable literature and contact details to assist therapists in gaining greater awareness of the needs of eczema sufferers and the support networks available to them.
• The Australian Psoriasis Association. Lenore Voorderhake provided information and contact details for the support of psoriasis sufferers and their families.
• NPS Medicines Lines. Treasure McGuire provided the helpline contact details to assist therapists and clients to determine the safety of combining any medication in use with possible nutritional supplementation for the purpose of improving skin treatment results.

Currently a second edition of this Manual is being prepared, which will greatly assist therapists and Beauty Therapy students understand the complexities of skin types and skin conditions.

In November 2006 Anne-Marie was elected the National President of the APAA, a position she continues to manage. In 2007 Anne-Marie completed her second science degree from the University of New England in Armidale, NSW, majoring in Anatomy & Physiology and Research Methods.

She was also awarded the Dean's Merit Prize for outstanding academic performance at the university. Additionally, she became a member of the International Golden Key Honour Society which recognises its members for their outstanding scholarly achievements. This is only offered to the top 10 percent of all graduates in 375 universities in the world. Anne-Marie's previous science degree was obtained from Auckland University, New Zealand, where she obtained majors in Psychology and Geography.

Under Anne-Marie's guidance as the APAA's National President and its National Education Office, as well as the then APAA Board of Directors, the APAA has grown to become the largest and longest-serving beauty therapy association in Australia. From November 2006 to present, the APAA sought and obtained three trademarks under its APAA umbrella. These trademarks are:

• Australian Medical & Clinical Laser Professional (AMCLP)
• Australasian Cosmetic Tattoo Professional (ACTP)
• Australasian Nail Professional (ANP).

The APAA is proud to have these trademarks; it has raised the standards of education for APAA members through membership qualification via means of academic qualifications, practical hands-on experience and professional insurance.

In 2007 Anne-Marie and the then APAA Board of Directors established Chapters under these trademarks to utilise industry knowledge to provide further education for its members in these modalities. Anne-Marie took an additional role, becoming the APAA's coordinator for the APAA Advisory Group to oversee the role of the Intense Pulse Light & Laser Therapies services in Australia.

During this period she overcame the challenges associated with providing a measure of industry standards in this particular modality where there were no standards currently available. She continues in this role and liaises with various government bodies to ensure aestheticians of today are professionally qualified and have the knowledge and practical experience to provide these modalities.

Currently Anne-Marie also assists the Service Skills Council of Australia in its quest to review the National Beauty Training Package to help ensure the industry continues to produce skilled and knowledgeable therapists in the future. Notwithstanding Anne-Marie's illness last year, which left her in hospital for over three months and required several operations, she has risen to the challenge again to take up her studies towards her goal of achieving a Doctorate in Science.

The aesthetics industry in Australia has noted Anne- Marie as a leading example of a professional who signifies exemplary academic achievement together with industry experience. She is helping to shape the aesthetics industry in Australasia by raising the standards through education and qualified experience.

Anne-Marie can be contacted at the APAA office on 07 5575 9364.

Bella Beauty Magazine #20