4 minutes with…Michael Sweet, Managing Director, Brilliant Adventures Australia

Tell us about your organization and it’s role in the advanced bioeconomy.

Brilliant Biofuels Technology Xiamen Company Ltd is a wholly owned foreign Enterprise of Brilliant Australia and was set up with purpose of Jatropha agriculture in Fujian Province. Brilliant Australia came first in 2004 in Madagascar where plantations were set up on communal village lands to grow Jatropha.

Tell us about your role and what you are focused on in the next 12 months.

My objectives are to revisit the agriculture and introduce what we have learned about the plant but not for another 2 years. I have now moved away from mainland China and taken up residence in my hometown Perth in Western Australia. My Chinese connection looks now for food agriculture in Australia and is making large investments in this area. Jatropha has yet to receive endorsement to be able to plant in Australia so we are currently establishing new ground rules.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing about the Advanced Bioeconomy, what would you change?

Consolidate the research into a bible of information and ensure all over the world had a biodiesel bible that is updated like Wikopedia on the internet

Of all the reasons that influenced you to join the Advanced Bioeconomy industry, what single reason stands out for you as still being compelling and important to you.

To apply the technology that is discovered and get back into the game

Where are you from? 

Perth, Western Australia, but 25 years spent outside of Australia….15 in China Thailand 5 years and seven other countries.

What was your undergraduate major in college, and where did you attend? Why did you choose that school and that pathway? 

UWA Finance banking… embryo transfer in Cattle sheep and goats in Thailand. Now diversified mining–people connection investment portfolios

Who do you consider your mentors. What have you learned from them?

I have 60 years’ experience and have lived and worked in many countries, I am the self starter and my goal is to write my experiences during the race to get to 100 years (23 to go).

What’s the biggest lesson you ever learned during a period of adversity?

Every man is an island and every man needs to be the Captain of his soul….I believe in destiny and the poem IF by Rudyard Kipling has been my guideline ….it says it all and defeats adversity every time.

What hobbies do you pursue, away from your work in the industry? 

Swim in the morning wake up each day full of life

What 3 books would you take to read, if stranded on a desert island?

A Pen and Ink that I might write a book rather that read of others experiences

What books or articles are on your reading list right now, or you just completed and really enjoyed?

I no longer rely upon books and use the internet as a source of knowledge

What’s your favorite city or place to visit, for a holiday?

Perth Western Australia