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Department of Veterans' Affairs

  • 1,000 - 50,000 employees

Alex Walton

5.00 AM

My alarm goes off. I think to myself I must have clicked the wrong button. I then realise I have to quickly get out of my warm bed, put on damp cozzies (Sydney slang for swimwear), chuck on my big coat and run down the road for 5.30 am swimming training. My first Canberra winter is becoming a real test of will-power for early morning swimming.

7.30 AM

I am back home for a quick breakfast and shower, put on a fresh new outfit (that I hope will impress my manager), quickly gather all my bits and pieces I need for the day and head out the door, hoping that I didn’t forget my building pass.

8.30 AM

Get into work pumped and ready for a big day. I get in around 8.30 am and by 9.00 am I’ve read my emails, prioritised the day’s work and am eagerly awaiting any new urgent work or projects.

In my first placement in the Finance Section, my mornings were often taken up with data analysis, end of period account adjustments, reconciliations and hard close account preparation. Given the technical and precise nature of the work, I found my concentration levels better in the morning for this type of work.

A quick morning tea break would also allow me to up my sugar and caffeine levels to keep me going through to lunch.

12.30 PM

Whilst my fellow workers were out buying fancy lunches, I would have my pauper’s lunch of leftovers from last night’s dinner or the odd peanut butter sandwich.

1.00 PM

The afternoon session at work often involves meetings. It’s been great being invited to management and project meetings, listening to really skilled administrators go about their business. Attending meetings has helped me to crystallize my understanding of important businesses processes, particularly collaboration in decision making.

Often I look to assist with action items, gathering data and preparing reports.

For me, the afternoon session at work is a time to consolidate on the work done so far that day, to complete tasks and report to my manager.

5.30 PM

Work for me normally finishes at about 5.30 pm. After locking up all the sensitive documents, I head out the door to catch the bus home.

Afternoon training maybe another swim session or just a weights session – unless I’m too tired, too injured or finished work too late. Either way, it’s a good way to round out the day.

Then it’s time to chill out with some dinner and a bit of television. I often spend some time with telephone calls, Skype, Facetime or messaging, to keep in touch with the people important to me before collapsing into bed.

I’ve never had an electric blanket before, but as the temperature drops, I’m finding it one of the most comforting things in my life. Then blissful sleep.