Having spent more than 50 years at CGI in Australia, I am proud how my career has continued to evolve in ways I never imagined.
I started as an apprentice electrician at the Board of Works (now Melbourne Water) and, through approximately eight mergers or acquisitions, have maintained continuous service with what is now CGI for over 50 years.
My first role as a trainee electrician was maintaining pump stations, a job that involved climbing into sewage wells and other vital hands-on work, providing essential services to the people of Melbourne. Eventually looking for a change, I enrolled in night school to study electronics, allowing me to move laterally into a fast-developing field.
I describe myself as a ‘bit dyslexic’, which has influenced the type of work I have gravitated towards throughout my career. Desk phones and radios were the critical modes of communication for most of my early career, but even with the advent of desktop computers, I have steered clear of report writing.
Having reported to an estimated 20 managers in my time, I have seen first-hand the impact that great leadership has on job satisfaction, workplace culture, and the encouragement that they can provide. Thankfully, the good managers over my 50 years far outweighed the ordinary ones. I’ve never had ambitions to move into management myself as it simply wouldn’t suit me. What I have achieved though is wide recognition as a client-focused industry expert in SCADA systems. I’m especially proud of achieving near perfect client satisfaction scores year on year. I’ve also been humbled to have received an Australian National Medal for my services volunteering with the SES.
There have been two great changes to the way we work over the course of my career. The first is the rate of change in technology, the miniaturisation and the exponential sophistication of what can be achieved. I may jokingly call myself a technology luddite, but lasting 50 years in this industry requires adaptability, and that’s something I’ve embraced throughout my career.
Another significant change has been cultural. When I started, there were no women in my immediate working environment. Today, around half the team are female, and our teams are far more ethnically diverse. That diversity has made work a better place to be for the range of ideas it brings.
I’ve continued to support major client programs, including Yarra Trams. Whilst I often joke about retirement, the truth is I get a lot of personal satisfaction from my work, I like what I do and that’s what makes it hard to leave. The variety in my roles over the years has kept me engaged, and the shift to hybrid working has come at the right time, easing what was once a long daily commute. CGI has given me the opportunity to keep learning, adapting and contributing over the long term.
Outside of work, I am an avid photographer. I always have my camera with me and you can usually find me taking photos of interesting architecture. I have also become the informally appointed photographer at many CGI staff events. Another constant that has followed me to every office is my coffee percolator. I maintain that it makes better coffee than any modern espresso machine – controversial I know!
Although my three children and six grandchildren are a bit oblivious to how special this 50-year milestone is, I know how fortunate I have been. Not just for the length of my career, but for the people, projects and clients that have made it so rewarding. It’s been a privilege to grow alongside CGI for more than 50 years!
