Donald Blanksby (Post Grad Dip in HR, FICD)

Before commencing the current business, Donald had run his own retail business’s, a self service grocery and a separate fruit shop. Following the sale of those businesses he worked for the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) where he started their training department before being appointed as the CEO of the Automotive Industry Training Council Australia (AAITC) where he was responsible for automotive training policy throughout Australia.

He left AAITC in 1989 and commenced the current business, initially, as a business management training company, then branched into event, and association management, which now operates as Assoc Management Services.

He is a past president of the Australian Society of Association Executives (AuSAE) Victorian Division and served as board member of AuSAE National for many years.

Army service ranges from National Service then serving in the Army Reserve for 31 years where he rose through the ranks to Sgt, then he was commissioned in the Infantry and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was Commanding Officer (CO) of the 1st Battalion Royal Victoria Regiment, CO 3rd Division Battle School, CO Officer Cadet Training Unit, and CO Other Ranks Training Unit 3rd Military District.

Don served in Vietnam in 1967 and has been awarded the Reserve Force Decoration (RFD) & Efficiency Decoration (ED). He completed his service in 1990 and maintains an interest as a senior marshal of the Anzac Day parade and is an honorary life member of the Regimental Association

Outside work, he is a current active sailing member of Royal Brighton Yacht Club since 1965, competes in championships and has been Australian Champion of the Jubilee Class yacht.