We invite you to explore the key milestones, stories and personalities of our history in our 125 Years Timeline. We also invite you toShare your story and become part of our digital history.
I started work at the University in June 1994 – so this year is my 21st birthday celebration as well! My first role at the University was as a Careers Counsellor. It was a fabulous position – working with 1st year to the PhD students helping them to articulate their passions and to use this knowledge to identify and pursue future career paths. I established the annual University Careers Fair (building on the Law Fair that previously existed) which stills see government and industry employers from around the country coming to the University to interview students across all faculties for graduate positions.
At the beginning of 2013 I was appointed as the General Manager in the Faculty of Arts, and Hub Manager for the faculties of Arts, Business and Law (ABL). I love my job as it enables me to bring together all the knowledge and experiences that I’ve gained over the last 21 years and to contribute to expanding the reach of the University – locally, interstate and internationally.
After four years as Careers Counsellor, in 1998 I became the Manager of Marketing & Recruitment – leading a dynamic team of staff who were all passionate about demonstrating to potential students and their families that University study could help them create the career and lifestyle they aspired to. A highlight of this two year period was starting the annual Open Day as part of the University’s plan to encourage community access to our/their campuses.
In 2000 I moved to “the top floor” as Senior Executive Officer to the Vice-Chancellor. I worked closely with Professor Don McNicol and then Professor Daryl Le Grew – and it was a privilege to work at the highest level on strategic issues of importance to the University and the State. In 2005 I was appointed Director of Transnational Education – responsible for the overall management of the University’s teaching partnerships offshore – during my time in the role the University was delivering courses in mainland China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Kuwait. My seven years in this role coincided with huge changes in transnational delivery of higher education, not just in Australia but around the world. Establishing new models of engagement with partner institutions was invigorating and challenging and I learnt a huge amount about education policies in a number of countries, negotiating contracts via interpreters and international currency transactions.
I spent most of 2012 as Acting General Manager at Menzies Research Institute Tasmania and, as well as fulfilling a goal to learn more about a Tassie icon and our world-class medical research, this role confirmed for me that I wanted my next role to be as GM in the Faculty where I obtained my first degree (Bachelor of Social Work) 30 years before.
Outside of work I’m a passionate Brisbane Lions supporter. My nephew plays for them and I travel to as many games each season as I possibly can. I predict that 2015 will also be a year of celebration for the Lions! In the off-season I tend to 220 cymbidium orchids.
