TANIA FERNANDES – Information and Communication Technology
BIANCA GIAMPAOLO – Environmental Health
I was given the opportunity to work at the Horsham Rural City Council by the Wimmera Development Association. It was to be a four week internship in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) department.
From day one at Council, I was never treated like an outsider. It was more of a “welcome to the family” kind of reception. I was given an orientation and a tour of the office, giving me a chance to acclimatise myself with the staff and offices.
My supervisor, Vincent, was a good mentor and not only provided me with a description of my responsibilities but also gave me a start on how to go about achieving my tasks. He and my other ICT colleagues, Tracey and Brody, assisted me whenever I required aid. We were one team working together. I was invited to all organisational meetings which were conducted at a very professional level. It was at these meetings I learnt the responsibilities of the Council and how it works.
One of my tasks at Council was to carry out an information technology audit of the hardware systems. This allowed me to become acquainted with the staff at the other Council locations. They were all welcoming and went out of their way to assist me with my audit. Never once did I feel like the foreigner.
My other assignment at Council was to assist the Media Officer, Lise, in updating content and structure for the new website. Although it was Lise’s baby, we worked as a team. I enjoyed working with Lise on the website. It gave me a chance to put my knowledge of website development to use. Both Lise and Vincent allowed me complete access and took note of my suggestions and ideas.
Working at Horsham Rural City Council did not feel like work at all. It was enjoyable and fun. It wasn’t all work, we had staff lunches and the Australia Day barbeque which I thoroughly enjoyed, for it gave us time to relax and enjoy the pleasure of each other’s company. I have to say that, being an international student, it was the first time I had pavlova, and three different kinds too!
It was sad to see my time at Council come to an end. Honestly, I did not want to leave, I loved working there. I was given an environment which I enjoyed working in. It was one where I wanted to work not because I was required to, but because I chose to. It was touching to have the staff provide a morning tea on my last day to thank me for the work that I accomplished. However, it was I who ought to thank them for giving me this opportunity to work and learn from them.
(Tania is in her final year of study at the University of Ballarat completing a the Bachelor of Information Technology (Software Engineering)
ANNUAL REPORT 2012 - 2013 ANNUAL REPORT 2012 - 2013 33
It is a requirement of my course to spend two full days/week working within a functional Council for 10 days. I chose to spend my time at Horsham Rural City Council.
The experience I gained whilst working as an Environmental Health student at Horsham Rural City Council, as well as my Health Science degree, has further developed my theoretical and practical knowledge, as I have had to draw on this academic knowledge to perform the duties throughout my placement.
One of my duties was to overhaul the Environmental and Public Health section on the website. I used the knowledge from my studies to update content provided to the community on the legislative standards that current Federal and State Governments have implemented.
One of the great privileges of working at Council has been working with the two Environmental Health Officers, Luke Mitton and Helene Wortley. They have both guided and mentored me whilst I have been a part of their team. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with people who are so passionate about their job and that have had extensive experience in the field. It has been wonderful working within my home town Council and being greeted each day by faces I have known for a long time. As part of this experience, it has been very exciting to see upcoming progress on projects that were first drafted when I was still in High School (eg, the Town Hall development).
I thank everyone at Council for their contribution in making me feel welcome and a part of their team.
(Bianca completed her placement at Council from August to October 2012. She was in her final year of a Health Science degree at La Trobe University Bendigo Campus)
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