Tonia was born in Gladstone, Queensland, grew up in Papua New Guinea and was educated in Australia.
She had extensive editorial and journalistic experience with ACP, Fairfax and Murdoch with numerous well known magazines, both weekly and monthly and was in-house author and Editor with J.B. Fairfax Press. Tonia, so far, has written 28 books on cooking, craft, home decorating and DIY. She has taught textile and design subjects to high school students.
She was Australian National Sewing Manager for Bernina, and held a similar position with Janome. She spent eight years as National creative consultant and face of Lincraft, concurrently with twelve years nationally with Kresta Blinds and lectured on interior design at David Jones.
She owned Australia's largest decorative cushion manufacturer Rapee, which involved extensive travel and manufacturing in Australia, China, Taiwan, India and Thailand, and exporting to Europe and America.
She has built and helped to manage two 60 bed aged care homes, and has an active interest in 'ageing in Australia' and frequently is asked to speak on this subject.
As part of a small consortium, she successfully established China's first water bottling plant in Jungshan, South East China during the late 1990's.
Tonia spent twenty years with Channel 10, appearing regularly on such programs as Healthy Wealthy and Wise, Good Morning Australia and Creative Living with Tonia Todman.
She lives at Kyneton, Victoria, where she has a popular cooking school at her historic bluestone house 'Highbank'. 'Highbank's' old stables and tack room have been converted to B&Bs, and the paddocks are filled with thousands of organic fragrant roses she grows for the cut flower market. She takes an active and enthusiastic role in the Kyneton community and surrounding villages.
She is very proud to be a Life Ambassador for Australia Day, a Life Member of the NSW Institute for Deaf and Blind Children and a Life Ambassador for Variety, Australia.
Testimonials
Tonia is a wonderful public speaker she was warm funny engaging and very candid about her personal life and career, we absolutely loved her. Tonia also spent time with our residents after her presentation which everyone appreciated. I would not hesitate booking Tonia again.
Uniting AgeWell