Laurie Goodridge has been our Trade Sales Representative for Games Workshop now for a number of years. We have enjoyed his visits down, most recently for the Tasmanian State Championships, and soon for the Australian Golden Demon Competition. We've been lucky enough to see first hand some of the amazing models he has converted and painted, many of which have been for White Dwarf articles, or entries in the Golden Demon competition. Laurie was kind enough to take some time to answer a few questions about what he does for Games Workshop, and how he was drawn into the world of miniature warfare. Below are also a couple of photos he has of his work. (Note the impressively painted Golden Demon Trophy.... )

To start with, what do you do for Games Workshop, have done, and how long for?
I currently work in the trade sales department of Games Workshop. Trade is responsible for supplying and supporting our range of products through independent retailers, locations such as Area 52. The department has 6 staff in 2 divisions; Stockists and Hobby Builders. I supervise the Hobby Builders division and as such I deal with independent retailers that understand and are able to enjoy the benefits of 'Interactive' retailing. I've been with Games Workshop for 7 years. I started with GW opened there first store in Perth, moving to Queensland a year later to open a new store, followed by my move to Sydney two years later to begin the role I'm currently in. Prior to GW, I was self employed as a Graphic Designer and worked did some casual work at a SF Bookshop.

What on earth possessed you to move to Australia from England? it was the beer, wasn't it...?
Beer, Sunny weather, best beaches in the world -Pick a reason! Seriously - I moved with my parents when I was 14.

Do you think your work differs to other employment in the same job type? (in comparison to trade representatives of other companies)
- Tricky question. I don't think it is necessarily. In order to enjoy a sales job - it certainly helps to love the products your selling. I have been a fan of the hobby since I was 15 and have never left it. Other than that, I enjoy the company of my colleagues and work in an environment that really invests in people.

Can you place a highlight of your employment with Games Workshop?
- The best days in my career are when I know I have inspired someone. Getting emails from people who have read White Dwarf articles I've written, or stores that are running events or trying something original. Being invited along to events is always a buzz - There's an annual event in Noumea that I get invited to that's a particularly nice highlight every year!

I was surprised to hear from Heath after his trip to Games Workshop Head Quarters Aus. that all (bar one) of the staff there are obsessive hobbyists themselves! This surprised me, because though you expect the people responsible of distributing the games to understand their product, you don't expect to see such a large percentage as addicted as us fanboys! (any comments?)
- Although its not compulsory to be a fan, it's a point of pride for GW that we are able to employ fans of the hobby should they possess appropriate skills for the role. A lot of people want to work for Games Workshop because they love the products, and as I mentioned earlier, if you love the products you work with - you'll generally get better results.

Were you interested in modeling or table top wargaming before your employment with Games Workshop?
- Absolutely. When I was 16 I started my own business painting models of any kind for commission. I worked on weekends at a games shop in Perth running painting demo's to fund my hobby. So the geek.

What (if any) are the conflicts you have as an employee of Games Workshop, and also as a veteran hobbyist of their systems?
- We're pretty open and honest about stuff at GW. Apart from discussing the rules, stats and written content of any forthcoming publication we can speak openly on any subject and often do.

What was your first experience of the Games Workshop hobby and how did you become involved in it?
- It was introduced to me by a friend in high school (sound familiar?). Being a fan of anything fantasy or SF based, I had an immediate connection to the miniatures. I started painting within a week.

An Ork Warboss, featured in White Dwarf 255, was in an Emperors Champion Games Workshop Staff Competition. How does this competition, and indeed any other staff one, differ to the regular one held for punters? What sort of prizes are you up for? Is it held in conjunction with the Games Days?
- Emperors Champion is a set of Golden Demon categories for GW staff only. They were set up to prevent the remote possibility of GW staff dominating their main event. It also prevents favouritism, nepotism and general unfairness in the Golden Demon Comp. Prize wise, Golden Demon trophies are awarded but there is no chance of winning the Slayer award.
The Emperors Champion, Staff tournament and other internal competitions are put in place to reward staff in the same way as any competition does; it recognises excellence, which for a hobbyist or competitive gamer is a great reward.

What can you say about the competition in the events that you have entered? What are some of the most ambitious projects you have seen at these events?
- My favourite aspect of competition is the inspiration it offers. Seeing new painting techniques, styles, intricate conversions in painting comps makes me challenge myself a little more. My painting style has changed many times over the years often as a result of seeing something new in a competition. Painting and modeling projects get better and better every year, they truly are works of art in their own right. I my opinion, what makes for an ambitious project is one that represents the genre better than it has been represented before, a project that captures the spirit of the Warhammer multiverse. I have a folder of Golden Demon pages taken from White Dwarf that I've collected since I first started in the hobby. Its now a huge tome that I often refer to for ideas and inspiration.

There are some fantastic painters and modelers here in Australia, and every time there is a review of the Games Day Golden Daemon entries I get quite excited (!) Who are some of your favourite Aussie painters/modellers, and what made them stand out in your eyes?
- You're absolutely right, there is a wealth of talent in Oz, some truly world class painters and modellers. As for personal favourites, I'm a particularly big fan of paint jobs by Glenn Lamprecht, Leigh Carpenter, Robert Sakaluk, Kenneth Tan & Chris Mackonis. Their distinct styles and skills and the originality of their work make them stand out. On the modelling side, Victoria Lamb does some lovely work, and George Damianos produces some impressive stuff too.

Now some more boring and stock standard kind of questions, but they do sometimes produce some very interesting results....

What is on your painting desk right now?
- Ogres and Tyranids. I'm working on a 2500pt Ogre army based around beast hunters - a truly nomadic tribe that are currently hunting the sacred White Bears of Kislev as they make their way toward troll country. The Tyranids are for a forthcoming White Dwarf article.

Out of any gaming systems you have played, which one have you enjoyed the most, and why?
- Although I have collections for every game we've produced, Warhammer is my personal favourite. Big armies look fantastic on the battlefield and Warhammer is all about big armies. I love playing 40K, it's a great system and I play it more regularly than Fantasy as its fast pace makes it more accessible. But for serious fun I love a good Warhammer battle.

What are some of your favourite models or Armies, and why?
My favourite models can change from day to day, especially when you look at some of the current models and some that are about to be released. The new Wood-Elves are exquisite, I look forward to painting a few of those. Of the models released right now, Celestine the Living Saint is a great sculpt, Valten Exalted of Sigmar is another remarkable piece. Brother Captain Stern of the Grey Knights, Inquisitor Torquemada Coteaz, Captain Lysander, Some of the new Wood Elf models are almost certainly going to join the favourites list too.