5Q4 > An IT Guy

Leaving the fast-pasted corporate world two years ago, Matthew Mulligan now calls the lazy, sandy beaches of the Pacific home. Based in Fiji, Matthew is the IT manager for the Trans-Pacific Union Mission.

1 What does your job involve? > The saying “Jack of all trades” pretty much sums up the job. It involves computer support, training, networking, satellite communication and television. I am also trying to install a computer lab in each school across the Pacific. About half of our church schools have a computer lab.

2 The Trans-Pacific Union Mission [TPUM] covers a large number of islands. How much travelling does your job involve? > There are eight countries in the TPUM. Getting to these countries involves an international flight across open oceans. In my first two years, I travelled a lot. Now that I have internet set up in many places, I can do a lot of work remotely, which really helps. Still, I might be away from home as much as three months in the year.

3 Being based in Fiji, how does the technology compare with Australia? > Technology in Fiji is really no different to technology in Australia. With fast and cost-effective transport, most Pacific countries have the same equipment as Australia. However, things are expensive. By the time governments add their duty and taxes, equipment prices can be up to about two to four times that of the same product in Australia.

4 Are there any strange/funny reactions by the locals to computer technology? > There have been a couple of really funny incidents. In one training session a student started to get really frustrated, saying his mouse was not behaving. He continued to describe the situation—when he wanted the pointer to move up, it went down. When he wanted the pointer to move left, it moved right. He said the mouse was very “disobedient.” Perplexed, I investigated. I discovered he was holding his mouse upside down.

5 Do you think God knows how to use a computer? > Definitely. In the islands miracles happen every day. Recently I arrived at a remote office to set up a computer lab and network. The staff thought I was their answer to prayer, expecting me to fix their long broken photocopier. I am not a photocopier technician. After hours of trying, I admitted defeat and put the photocopier back together, covered it up and walked away. Unbeknown to me, the staff had a prayer session asking for me to be able to fix the machine. A few minutes later someone ran up to me and said, “Thank you.” I said, “What for?” He said I had fixed the photocopier, which was now working perfectly. I was shocked—I knew I left it in a broken state. It can’t be anything other then a miracle.