1987
NEWCASTLE, NSW
Ryan was born in Newcastle, in 1987, during a period of major economic and social change. During this time, the sprawling city (encompassing three distinct municipalities) was grappling with the effects of the 1989 Newcastle earthquake, and later, the closure of BHP steelworks which had played a central role in the city’s identity and employment landscape.
Ryan’s first exposure to things done differently was in early childhood education where he attended a novel childcare facility that focused on co-mingling students with special needs with able bodied kids without disability. This experience shaped his lifelong belief in equal opportunity for all.
He later attended Hunter School of the Performing Arts, a selective publicly-funded school that nurtures creative and academic excellence. The personalised learning approach offered at Hunter allowed Ryan to flourish after feeling stagnant in the standard education system. Once again, a different and unique way of doing things proved instrumental in shaping Ryan’s success.
During high school, Ryan was captain of the Hockey team and a member of multiple award winning bands. He also received a scholarship to study Metals and Engineering, learning fabrication skills through placement at the world's largest coal loading facility at the Port of Newcastle..
He met his now wife in his final year of high school
2005-2010
FINDING HIS WAY
Like many young people, Ryan wasn’t initially certain which path to pursue. With a strong interest in motorsport, he began a mechanical engineering degree, aiming for a career in Formula 1. Over time, however, his priorities evolved. When his then girlfriend committed to studying medicine in Sydney, Ryan reassessed his long-term plans and decided to build his future alongside her in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, settling in Maroubra.
During his time there, Ryan continued competitive go-kart racing, worked as a ward clerk at the local hospital, and built a life in Sydney.
2010 - 2022
A PROFESSION & FALLING IN LOVE WITH TASMANIA
In 2010, Ryan was accepted into NSW Ambulance’s vocational training program, beginning a career that would define his twenties. After training in Sydney, he was deployed across regional NSW, serving communities in Sydney, Kempsey, Tamworth and Mudgee. Working on the frontline in regional areas, Ryan witnessed firsthand the inequality and social injustice that pervades our society. Servicing Aboriginal settlements, super-max prisons, and struggling farmers deeply shaped Ryan’s values and commitment to community.
In 2012, Ryan and his wife visited Tasmania and fell in love with the state’s natural beauty, strong sense of community, and way of life. Determined to build their future there, they moved from Dubbo to Hobart in 2015.
Ryan retrained as a nurse before joining Ambulance Tasmania in 2015, later working as a scrub nurse in neurosurgery at Calvary Lenah Valley Hospital. He also completed a seminal research paper for the Tasmanian healthcare service. It set the groundwork for integration of Ambulance and surgical services in Tasmania when responding to major heart attacks. A system integration improvement that has bettered the outcomes of hundreds of heart attack sufferers and saved countless lives.
Ryan continued serving with Ambulance Tasmania while starting a family in Hobart. His love for his children and their future strengthened his commitment to building a stronger Tasmania for the next generation and ultimately prompted his decision to run for Councillor.
2022 - PRESENT
ELECTED COUNCILLOR, HOBART CITY COUNCIL
In 2022, Ryan was accepted by the Hobart community as a Councillor. His campaign centred on community, transport and recreation and his actions show that he has delivered in these areas. Ryan remains committed to building Hobart into a more inclusive, vibrant city with opportunity for anyone who chooses to make Hobart home.
His focus remains on the children of today and tomorrow. Ryan has ensured transparent and effective governance to underpin the changes the city needs to protect what makes Hobart special in perpetuity. He leads his city with positivity and optimism for each and every individual. Just as in his ambulance work, Ryan will go out of his way to help anyone who asks to live their best lives.
Ryan is also focused on infrastructure upgrades. He believes that Hobartians should be aspirational and demand equality with their mainland counterparts. Just because Tasmania is small doesn’t mean Tasmanians deserve a lower level of service.
Throughout his years of service with Hobart City Council, Ryan has continued to work for Ambulance Tasmania, while juggling the needs of a young family. His wife works as a consultant Anaesthetist at the Royal Hobart Hospital, she has an interest in mentoring junior doctors and planning for complex, high risk surgeries.
In February 2026, Ryan declared his candidacy for Lord Mayor of Hobart.