That short period of time as an executive member of an agency has been of critical importance to my subsequent mobility. It tells people that I have a strategic approach to management, understand the complexities of the socio-political environment and have demonstrated the capacity to lead an influence on a broader scale.

On implementation of the new structure I spent several years in a near-country location as a District Coordinator before being called in to State Office to manage a state wide resource allocation process with responsibility for multi-million dollar resources. More learning. More credibility. More future flexibility.


I briefly returned to my country district before yet another organisational restructure. As a consequence of the restructure I found myself back in State Office. This was not to my liking. However, one of my network was offered a position within another government department on a temporary basis. She was unable to accept the role, but suggested that it would be worth talking to me.

I was contacted by the agency and stepped into a Project Management role relating to injury management for employees of several government departments. Familiar as I was with a great deal of legislation and regulation around children's services and education, I found myself a beginner in a new area - OHS and Injury Management. Over the last 3 years the role has evolved into more of an OHS (preventative) focus and I have learned a great deal about the social, political, financial and industrial aspects of the work. I love the fact that I have not had the chance to become stale and locked into a single career path.


What is my future? I don't know and I don't mind not knowing. I understand the future has many possible paths. My goal is to continue building knowledge and skills, work hard and seek out work to which I feel a commitment. That may be right where I am or it may involve moving to a new arena. I know enough not to be too afraid of change. Whilst others fret, I consider the possibilities.

I recently applied for another position responsible for developing a state wide OHS training plan. As a newcomer, I considered myself to be an outside chance yet again, but I thoroughly enjoy working in the field. Before you leap to conclusions, let me say that I do not yet know the outcome of my application. What I do know is that I was interviewed, the interview highlighted for me the knowledge and skills that I bring, and referees have subsequently been contacted. The Recruitment Team clearly see me as a viable candidate, within the competition. In that sense I already write this up as a success.

What have I learned?

• Always have a plan.
• Be prepared to consider deviation from the plan.
• Don't lock yourself in to a linear career path. If it happens that way, fine, but keep as many doors open as possible.
• Build positive relationships with people. Don't simply focus on management and decision makers. Staff at the coal-face can exercise unanticipated influence and your reputation as a human being is important.
• Look for opportunities to build new knowledge and skills, even if not directly related to your plan.
• Put in the hard work.
• Look at the positives resulting from change, whether change is initiated by you or others.
• Say “yes” when opportunity knocks at your door.

Here I am looking at my 5th decade approaching and my career still feels fresh and exciting. I will work to keep it that way. When I retire I still want to be on the "uphill run"!