Team Phenomenon

After school, Paul went straight to the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts where he studied Media Performance.

In 1989, Paul began Da Doo Ron Ron DJ Entertainment with Steve Power, who has remained his business partner to this day. Starting from a desk in his bedroom, Da Doo Ron Ron grew to be the most recommended DJ company for the past 20 years. In this business, Paul played the music or was Master of Ceremonies at over 1200 functions.

After completing a Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies and Photography, another year was used to complete Tertiary Studies with a Diploma of Education in English and Media.

In between studies, Paul was able to take extended periods off all this to travel.

This landed him in a job as Head of Videography at Stagedoor Manor Performance Arts Camp in Upstate New York where he returned four times over 7 years.

After this, Paul produced, directed and hosted a series of videos on how to backpack in various parts of the world. After initially filming Fiji, Mexico and the USA, Paul sought out financiers to fund ‘Bakpak Around Australia’. This saw two teams with hosts and crew from the US and Australia travel around Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia showing travel tips and things to do for the budget impaired.

The mix of travel and study left him with a special appreciation and love for photography of people. His artistic ability is vented through pics in third world countries, remote areas or of big events, like Woodstock 94, The Kokoda Track, outback Australia and Mexico.

In 2000, Steve and Paul expanded the business to include Videography and Theming. Phenomenon Event Services was born. Over the past 9 years it has accumulated a dream team of staff that give it an amazing wealth of experience in their chosen fields.

The last two years has seen a lot of changes come about. Da Doo Ron Ron DJ Services has been sold leaving the primary focus of Phenomenon Event Services in the Event Production, Theming and Video areas. By total coincidence these are all the areas that Paul enjoys the most.

Trips to the USA in January 2009 and then onto Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne were all in the name of expanding out the knowledge base of Phenomenon Events. New trends, ideas, methods and styles have all been flowing in. It is all a part of the dedicated effort by Paul and his team to create something creatively fresh for every client.

In late October, a trip to Nepal has been organised. Although it is not the work trip like the one planned for China next year, it is as near a perfect journey as possible on three fronts.
1. The chance to take pictures of the amazing locals
2. The physical challenge of climbing Yala Peak at 5700m
3. The opportunity to assist orphanages in Kathmandu through the ‘Kathmandu Kids’ charity that Paul is organising.

Each of these experiences assists him to produce new functions for clients, whether it be an awards ceremony for 1100 people or an intimate gathering to celebrate an event. It enables him to look at things from a different perspective, something that greatly assists in everyday work! It’s all about keeping it fresh and keeping it interesting.

AFFILIATIONS
Meeting & Events Industry Association (WA)
PPCA Phonographic Performance Company of Australia
AVPA Australian Video Producers Association

Steve is co founder of Phenomenon. He and Paul recently celebrated 19 years as business partners. A feat that means that something is working well. A feat so strong, that when Steve recently moved back to his homeland of Canberra with his young family, it was only a natural step that he should continue as a partner in the business.

Steve is still involved in a lot of different aspects in the business and can offer fresh perspective from our Capital.

2000 - founded Phenomenon Event Services
• Event Production Management
• Video Production
• Photography
• Design
• Theme & Construction
• Audio Visual
• Entertainment
1989 - founded Da Doo Ron Ron DJ Entertainment
• DJ at over 1000 events
• 8 years resident at Burswood Casino
• MC/Compere at over 300 events
• Recommended by most of Perth's leading venues including Royal Perth Yacht Club, Burswood Resort, Parmelia Hilton and numerous others
1987 - WA Academy of Performing Arts
• Media Performance
• Musical Theatre
2003 - Curtin University Entrepreneurship & Business Development Unit
1985 - Westpac Management Trainee (scholarship)
1985 -Associate Diploma Business & Accounting

AFFILIATIONS
Meeting & Events Industry Association (WA)
AIPP Australian Institute of Professional Photographers
PPCA Phonographic Performance Company of Australia
AVPA Australian Video Producers Association
Wedding Industry Association of WA

Artist. Visionary. Titan.

All of these words describe the man known as Raffe Houston. With a name taken from the latin word for Crimson Symphany, he was once labelled the songbird of our generation due to a voice that has been compared to a mix of both Fergie and Jesus. Unfortunately he has fallen from the public eye since his heartbreaking 2nd round knockout from American Idol when due to a vicious injury he was no longer able to continue…

Originally hailing from Geraldton, Raffe relocated to Perth to attend the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. 2002 saw Raffe graduate with an Advanced Diploma in Venue Operations and pretty much every other course they had on the syllabus including Jazz Tap, Musical Theatre & the Upright Bass.

These days Raffe lives the quiet life raising a family of noble manatee.

1970’s – Born in the red dust at Tom Price

1980’s – Moved to Kalbarri (are you jealous?) and lived there for all my pre-teen years. All my memories involve swimming, fishing, sunsets and some of the best bush cubby houses you could imagine!

1990’s – Spent one year in boarding school in Geraldton and yes, it is as bad as they say! I moved to Perth at 13 and officially went from country bumpkin to city slicker, not an easy move, traffic lights are so strange when you have never really seen them before… High school was followed by uni which was followed by itchy feet.

2000’s – Left the sleepy little death toll town of Perth (I was a seasoned city slicker by this time) and hit the bright lights and grey clouds of London. I lived and worked in London for four years. I worked for Europe’s biggest prop hire company and got to work on some amazing events including Elton John’s White Tie and Tiara ball not to mention plenty of A, B, C and D list celebrity parties, engagements, launches and huge Global Corporate events. I got to see the inside of some of the most famous and exclusive hotels and clubs in the world. During my time in London I also travelled extensively including most of Europe and numerous trips to Africa, the best place on Earth. I landed back in Perth in 2004 and was lucky enough to find a job in my field with a great company.

2009 – Again, this year is and has been full of travel, which I adore. Have already spent time in Broome and Kalbarri for fun and Adelaide for the national Meeting and Events Association conference. Off to Melbourne in the middle of the year for a trade show looking for new products and a personal holiday to far North Queensland planned for later in the year. Actually, looking at that on paper, you would think I don't do any work!! Not true, we have been really busy lately so it keeps me out of trouble!

AKA Artboy, Head of Colouring In.

Artists are a breed of their own aren’t they. This place is full of creative people, so it is never dull. They create a vibe that you never get bored of.

But you never know what is going on inside their head. I’m not sure that they do either.

That is why you never get bored of seeing their work either.

Chris draws and paints and hammers and saws, but the best bit is when he carves. He carves enormous three-dimensional statues and things out of foam. It gets better. He uses a kitchen knife. Like the one you used for your toast this morning.

It is probably rude to look over people’s shoulders all the time but when there is something really cool emerging every time you do – well, what are you going to do?

We employed Chris at a time that we had made a conscious decision not to accumulate props and sets. That was two warehouses ago.

The first 15 years of my life was spent growing up in the small Town of Albany WA with my wonderful family. Having 9 other brothers and sisters definitely kept things interesting including becoming an aunty at age 11. At the beginning of 2002 the family made the big move to Perth where I was to complete my final two years of highschool and fall for a certain handsome hunk!

As school wrapped up I burst straight into the full time working life as an assistant manager at my local grocery store. A year later I was offered a position in the shipping department of a massive Australian wide discount variety wholesaler dealing with overseas suppliers, artwork specifications and stock update and control. Seeking more of a challenge I was soon moved into their showroom sales position and then 6months later promoted to a senior sales position in care of almost half of WA's budget.

At the beginning of 2007 I was offered a chance to continue my sales training and expand my experience in a new industry - EVENTS, and instantly feel in love with it! With the corporate theming side of this company being fairly new my main role was to make Perth aware of their new & unique product and soon was working with companies such as Woodside, BHP, George P Johnson & sub-hiring to other theming companies Australia wide. But that's not all....the retail side to the company was all about balloons so by gees have I inflated some balloons in my time!

But there comes a time in ones life where balloons turn from your colourful friends to your worst enemy, and with no where else to move up, a great opportunity arose to again further my skills and learn more in this excellent industry, which bought me to the fantastic Phenomenon and I haven't looked back!

So the outlook is looking grand, I was married in February to my handsome hunk of seven years and looking borward to another busy year at Phenomenon!

Imported from England, Matts uncanny resemblance to a Hobbit has enabled him to fit right in here at Phenomenon.

Having worked with national theming companies and indulging in his Photographic interests, he has been busily forging a remarkable body of work in the theming game. Happy with a saw or a drill, a brush or a trolley, Matt is our go –to man. He has an inate ability to construct fantastic set pieces with our Head Designer, Chris.

We have a favourite term among the Production House. It is Pfaff. To pfaf is to make look great. And if you can pfaff well, then you are lauded. But not too much as then all we’d be doing all day is lauding ourselves. Jill has been pfaffing as long as she can remember working at a national retailer since school being paid and learning how best to pfaff.

We picked up Jill after she returned from Sydney. Jill is the person we call when supreme pfaffing is required. Her big smile and quirky sense of humour are fantastic additions to our team.

We searched far and wide for the right candidate to be the Phenomeon Production Assistant. Our search took us to New Zealand, where we found the ever speaking Thomas with a font of knowledge and capabilities. He packed his bags and ventured West to begin his new job in his new country.

Thomas’ three and a half years in computer graphics working in detail design, printing and manufacturing let him be responsible for projects from concept to final product. Since arriving in our sunburnt country, he has been endeavouring away to be an integral part of the Phenomenon machine.

Thomas has formed a close bond with the Phenomenon Truck- Suzi. This relationship as with most office romances got a little embarrassing at the staff Christmas Party. Fortunately, no photos are fit to post here on the web.

When not working his magic under the Phenomenon banner, Thomas is in his boat skurfing or taking full advantage of the weather and social life that Perth offers.

Chris is the quiet achiever of the Phenomenon Team. He is the classically trained ninja that you will never realise is even there. In shooting your wedding or corporate video, he puts these skills to excellent use. His shooting technique has added another dimension to the Phenomenon Brand.

Michael has very real and highly motivated dreams. He is a film-writer and film-maker and a talent waiting for that elusive break.
Only he isn't sitting and waiting. He is vigorously pursuing it.
While we have him we are using Michael's skills to create a defining product for Weddings. The market’s response (and 3 National AVPA Awards in the last three years) tells us we are onto something.
Michael also leads the team with an amazing range of corporate video and audiovisual projects plus exciting music clip production.
The scope of Phenomenon's Video department has been defined and redefined an infinite number of times because of the team’s quest to provide fresh and innovative products.
But the defining attitude is created and inspired from the front. Michael's volume of personal requests has given us a referral base most businesses could only dream about.
Whatever it is he is doing out there, we are trying to bottle it. Currently it's difficult because his Bride's & Groom's seem to drink every last drop.

Laetitia came to Perth from The France Riviera at the beginning of her University Studies. After completing a Bachelor Arts Media Design and Graduate Diploma in Film and Television at Curtin University, she decided to saty.

A dedicated short film maker for many years, Laetitia receently completed filming an independent feature length film that is currently in post production.

Previously having worked as a dancer at Moulin Rouge, if there is something to do, Laetitia Can Can do it.

Her easy going nature and filming abilities have enamoured her with our clients and staff alike. An editing marvel, Laetitia has got the eye to put together footage for thee highest impact.

As Michael's assistant, Laetitia is more than capable of dealing with all aspects of our Production schedule.

Adam completed his Bachelor of Communications degree Majoring in Film and Television and Photomedia. Before coming and joining us at Phenomenon, Adam Managed the Video Production Department at Royal Perth Hospital.

Adam has successfully made the change from filming someone's most frightening day of their life (an operation) to filming someone's most special day of their life (their wedding) with ease and is continuing to expand his skill set.

Adam is an extremely easy going person who strives for the best in anything he puts his mind to. With Adam's skill set and attitude he is able to create stunning wedding and corporate videos.