Sharon Corbett loves to draw. She's also a wiz on the computer, and has a strong belief that every child deserves an education.
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The former teacher's aide has pooled all these skills and developed a collection of educational apps designed for youngsters aged from three to seven years and called it Tailbert and Friends.
The app includes a music centre, complete with a digital piano keyboard which introduces children to the delights of - yes - music, musical notes and singing.
While singing along with Tailbert, the little ones are assured of being amused as musical notes shoot out of his spout.
In the school children get the opportunity to build skills and confidence, and learn numbers and letters with engaging, friendly and colourful sea creatures.
The app also includes story time, where they can read along, paint and colour.
I was never really good at school but I was good at computers.
- Sharon Corbett
Kids can create sandcastles, make crazy faces on an octopus and enjoy painting in the colour-in centre, Sharon said.
Following a succession of jobs and careers primarily in aged care, education and working with Koori youth, Sharon says she has finally found her passion.
A self-taught animator/drawer Sharon acquired her extensive skills to bring Tailbert and Friends to life mainly through Facebook and YouTube tutorials.
The well received app took Sharon about two years to develop and fine-tune.
"I was never really good at school but I was good at computers," Sharon said.
"It is the only thing I am really interested in."
Sharon at one stage contemplated a career in teaching, earning a place at the Australian Catholic University, North Sydney.
"But, I didn't finish.
"I'm not one for study."
But, she successfully studied and gained a certificate four in digital media through TAFE.
Sharon also acknowledged 30-year-old daughter and NIDA student, Amy for encouraging her to continue the project following a health scare.
"She has been an inspiration to me to try different things."
Sharon said she enjoyed painting, but didn't have a steady enough hand.
As a result, her characters have been created through her computer.
Sharon also has designed and developed a set of angel app cards and an app to assist First Nations' People with Indigenous art.
At the same time, she is learning how to effectively market her product with the help of First Australians Capital, an organisation which focuses on Indigenous early-stage and start-up businesses, by providing support services, networking, and access to financial capital.
The 56-year-old proud Wiradjuri woman, who hails from Orange in the State's Central West, followed her family to Forster after living in Sydney for more than 10 years.
Like so many before them, Sharon's family holidayed in Forster for many decades before settling permanently.
Tailbert and Friends is available for $2.99 from the Google play store or get in touch with Sharon at shrncorbett@gmail.com
Jeanene Duncan
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
