Born in Yallourn and educated in Melbourne at Monash University, where he did an Honours degree in Applied Mathematics, Darren returned to Gippsland to teach Mathematics and Physics at Sale Catholic College in 1982.  Darren has also taught at TAFE.

Upon leaving teaching in 1991, Darren formed his own entertainment company, facilitating over 150 performances each year around Australia and South East Asia.  He has also directed several local Festivals including the Shakespeare on the River Festival, Mallacoota Festival of the Southern Ocean, the Sale Next Wave Festival and the Water Water Festival and was Chair of Festivals Australia in 2006.  Darren is currently a Director of Gippsland Regional Arts.

Darren was a graduate of the Gippsland Community Leadership Program in 2002.  He has been involved with many civic groups including the Boards of the Gippsland Technical College and the Sale Elderly Citizens Village. He lectures regularly on Beliefs and Values at the Snowy River Campus of the Leadership School.

Darren is currently the Chair of Gippsland Climate Change Network which is responsible for the Latrobe Valley Community Power Hubs, Scorecard assessments and the Roadmap to Renewables.  

This not for profit coalition of business, government and the community advocates for sustainability issues throughout Gippsland.  Darren completed the Carbon Accounting course with Sustainability Victoria.

Darren was first elected to the Wellington Shire Council in 2003 and was Mayor in 2008, 2009 and 2016.

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