The art of coaching

Terry Madgwick is the proud owner of Screeching Possum Studio in Leschenault, his own little venture which allows him to pursue and share his passion for art.

A fitter machinist by trade, Terry has completed more trade certificates than you could wave a stick at and moved to the South West five years ago from Rockingham

“I had a couple friends down here so we used to come down a fair bit, but a lot of the art things happen down this way so it was just easier,” he said.

Specialising in charcoal, the former fitness fanatic would use art to wind down and cool off after training.

Terry spent several years as a personal trainer during his time as a tradesman, dabbling in all kinds of different sports.

“Personal training as a business I was no good at because I’d prefer to coach... I’d prefer to do it for nothing because of my love of sport,” he said.

“I played soccer for nearly 20 years, squash for God knows how many, a lot of martial arts, a lot of boxing... it’s just something you grow up with.

“When I was personal training, I’d go and work for someone else and they would line me up with customers because otherwise I’d always give my time away.”

It was this kindness and community spirit that eventually led him into the next chapter of his working life, TAFE teaching and tutoring.

After more than a decade as a tradesman and achieving all he felt he could, Terry took the plunge into teaching before branching out again into workplace training and tutoring.

“A lot of the older guys like me in the workplace, we know the old system of TAFE and how you get enrolled, what qualifications there are etc, but there are so many pathways now and it’s so selective,” he said.

“I offered my services to companies to advise what would be the best fit for them.

“A lot of the apprentices we had coming through struggled with the basic skills and fundamentals... there’s a gap between what schools teach and what you would learn in a workplace training situation so I’m hoping I can help bridge the gap.”

This drive to share his knowledge and experience culminated in the creation of the Trade Tutor and Advisory Service, Terry’s own business that he runs alongside his home art studio, Screeching Possum Studio.

“We were looking for a house that had something we could use as a studio and we were lucky enough that the previous owners were a photographer and water-colour artist,” he said.

Not only does the studio serve as a haven to indulge in his passion, it also serves as a classroom where those interested in “cultivating their inner artist” can learn from one of the South West’s best self-taught charcoal artists.

Terry’s sense of community spirit and drive to help those around him recently resulted in the composition of a four-part masterpiece, largely headed up by a group of 11 local foster children under the care of Key Assets.

“It was probably a bit daunting for the kids, it was for us as artists as well,” he said.

“To see them at the end of the project was the real win ... it was incredible.

“As soon as someone says ‘oh there’s a community thing coming up, do you want to be involved?’ I’ll say yes.

“I’ll do whatever I can do to help out around the place.”