Leo Christopher has thirty-nine years of experience in the handyman trade and for the last 12 years the semi-retired worker has been looking to teach others the tricks of the profession through his “Do It Yourself” renovation school, which is the first of its kind in Australia.
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“I noticed that most other courses available focused on one subject, I thought I could provide a handyman teaching service that would cover everything,” Mr Christopher said.
“Even with YouTube, some people still need a bit of help fixing more complex things around the house.”
“I hold twenty courses, from bricklaying to plastering. If its anything to do with your home, I can teach you how to fix it. I also teach the legalities, what a handyman can do and what they can’t.”
Since its inception, the DIY school has operated from Sydney, but now for the first time, Mr Christopher has extended the service to the Mid North Coast and is operating out of Stuarts Point.
“Stuarts Point is a good spot geographically between Sydney and Brisbane. Previously people were flying into Sydney from all over the country. Someone even flew in form Perth once; he was very satisfied with the service.”
The courses range from quick one day sessions to more in-depth four-day ones and they are designed to teach useful lifelong skills.
“There are little tricks to everything. I've found that experience is far more valuable than knowledge.”
“You can tell someone how to do a task, but I've found actually showing them is far more valuable.”
“People can save a fortune by doing it themselves, why hire in contractors when you can learn to do it yourself? It may take you a bit longer at first, but once you learn how to do it yourself, you won't be reliant on anyone.”
Mr Christopher has been working since he was seventeen, but he also has decades of unique experiences to share.
“It has been an interesting journey for me. I went to Italy about six years ago and competed in the masters of Discus and Shot put where I won the gold medal.”
He has even worked on the house that holds the leader of our nation, Kirribilli House.
“Mr Abbot was always away at work when I was there, but I met Mrs Abbott.”
Anyone interested in learning more and taking one of the DIY courses can contact Leo Christopher at 0438738001 or email leo.christopher@bigpond.com.
“Everyone is welcome, age and language are no barriers, I've had people who are Grandpas and even a lady who brought her interpreter,” Mr Christopher added.
Courses will be held every 12 weeks, and enrollment with full details can be obtained on the website www.diyschoolaustralia.com
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