What's your job about?
DVA has three outcomes to deliver. These basically boil down to supporting veterans and their families financially and in their mental, physical and social health, and acknowledging those who have been affected by military service through a program of commemorations. Within this, there are hundreds of vastly different teams, which come together to attempt to provide holistic services to our clients. DVA is also undergoing what’s called a Transformation, which is exciting to be a part of. What it means for staff is always being encouraged to think of new ways of doing business and having your work undergo a lot of change (sometimes while you’re in the midst of completing it). After completing my grad program, I’ll be working within the third outcome, Commemorations. I think of Commemorations as demonstrating to our clients that we respect their service and sacrifice, and showing the Australian public what is so unique about military service that we have a whole agency dedicated to the needs of veterans and their families.
What's your background?
I come from academic history: so, publishing articles, writing commissioned histories, and working in a museum. A lot of my research looked at Australian remembrance, female veterans, and military history. I also grew up playing a lot of classical music, and in 2012 I was privileged to be part of a memorial band which played at the Villers-Bretonneux Dawn Service on Anzac Day. This experience was the catalyst for wanting to be involved in Australian commemorations.
Could someone with a different background do your job?
Absolutely! The more people I meet at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the more I appreciate how invaluable different perspectives can be. In my grad year alone, we have skills from backgrounds in marketing, data, nursing, science, and national security. I will say that enthusiasm and a willingness to learn are key – but the stellar culture at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs can help anyone along in these areas.
What's the coolest thing about your job?
DVA serves its clients holistically, which means it combines elements of several different agencies (for example; Tax Office, Human Services, Communications, Employment, Health) into a single entity – and is still a relatively small agency! This means there is always something new to do or learn within arm’s length.
What are the limitations of your job?
Engaging with our clients to hear their voice and get their feedback is crucial, but it can be hard to learn about experiences where transition from a military lifestyle hasn’t been easy. I love Commemorations, but knowing about a tough time that someone is having and not being the person responsible for turning that situation around can make me wish I worked in other areas of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs where I could be responsible for making that change, an area like that might have to be where I end up next.
What were the best things about the DVA Graduate Development Program?
DVA only take a small amount of grads, which means I was lucky enough to have a lot ‘invested’ in me, and a lot of support available when I moved all the way from Perth. Being trusted on and watched by senior executive, being exposed to unique opportunities, and having a small and tight-knit cohort meant that I was able to get the most possible out of this year.
3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...
Looking back on when I was a student, with everything I know now after a year in the public service, I would tell myself: