Jarrah
Home State
South Australia
University
Flinders University and The University Of Adelaide
Qualifications
Bachelor of Archaeology, Honours Arts, Graduate Diploma in Psychology
Background
I grew up in the outer southern suburbs of Adelaide. I have always had a keen interest in music having played several instruments, principally the cello, almost all of my life. My interests and hobbies include creative writing, bonsai, Kungfu and Capoeira.
From the first moment I could pronounce the word I wanted to be an archaeologist. I enrolled in a Bachelor of Archaeology at Flinders University and studied both Classical and Australian archaeology. My plan at the time was to move overseas and spend my life discovering ancient ruins in exotic locations. However, the more I became aware of the realities of academic research the less inclined I was to go down that path. Following my Honours study at the University of Adelaide I enrolled in a Graduate Diploma in Psychology to try and make myself a bit more employable. After my psychology diploma I moved up to the Northern Territory and tried my hand at everything from digging ditches to working as a cook while I tried to decide what to do for the rest of my life.
Deciding that I wanted to stay in Australia I realistically had two choices for employment. Either working in the mining industry or working for a government agency. I decided to work for the Australian Public Service because it offered the opportunity to give something back to my community and to make a difference. My experience in the Department has been enjoyable, challenging and rewarding. I'm glad I made the choice I did.
Placements
First Placement
Indigenous Heritage West
My first placement in the Heritage Division aligned perfectly with my educational background and experience. I was initially brought in to work on the Indigenous Heritage Program, a grants program that offers funding to community groups and individuals wanting to share, preserve or maintain Indigenous heritage. However, I was lucky enough to come in to the section during the National Heritage List assessment of the Kimberley and was able to be involved with both projects.
My work on the Indigenous Heritage Program mainly involved the assessment of applications for the 2009 round of funding. In terms of the Kimberley National Heritage List assessment I compiled a report on the archaeological evidence for human occupation of Pleistocene Australia. I was also involved in the wider work of the section including the assessment of public nominations of places to be included on the National Heritage List.
I found the work in Indigenous Heritage West both interesting and challenging and was able to see how the Department's work can make a real difference in the Australian community.
Second Placement
REED, Community Partnerships Team and the Smart Grid Initiative
During my second rotation I worked in two different sections within the Renewables and Energy Efficiency Division (REED). Within the Community Partnerships Team I helped to develop a new program aimed at encouraging the uptake of more energy efficient practices within the not-for-profit sector.
Within the Smart Grid Initiative section I was involved in providing feedback on the Department's website, compiling a report on the phenomena of peak load in the Australian energy market and in analysing a consultant's compliance with their contractual obligations.
My work in REED helped me to better understand how the department works with community organisations and other Federal Departments such as the Department of Climate Change and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
I also was lucky enough to have the opportunity to attend and speak at the Department's Senior Executive conference during this rotation.
Third Placement
Parks Australia North, Works and Services Section
I spent the vast majority of my third rotation living and working in Kakadu National Park. My role was to undertake an audit of the existing signs throughout the park. This rotation was a great opportunity for me to work pretty much entirely independently in a remote area of Australia.
During my time working in Kakadu I was able to see almost the entire park and was permitted to visit some areas which are normally off limits to the general public. It was a fantastic chance for me to see the Department's 'on the ground' work first hand and to understand just how the Department's policy development works hand in hand with our service delivery work.
'the best thing about working for us ... is the environment'