Experience

SHORE

• Australia
• Primary and Secondary Education
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Executive Assistant

  • Mar 2011 - Present

  I love my job. I work with a wonderful group of people who enable me to provide the best possible service. I work to the Deputy Head of the Preparatory School at the K,1,2 campus. One day is never the same as the next. There are a few fundamentals - rolls, student and staff safety, first aid, co-ordinating after school activities and after school care implementation and bookings, ordering/paying invoices and recharging, knowing how to make the photocopier work, booking buses and helping with excursions, producing letters, showing prospective parents around the campus and arranging advertising and marketing for Open Days, general administration and communication with families and staff. But something different always crops up. Like catering for 100 old and current girls for a reunion, producing the programme for the Mini Proms, managing the ticketing and logistics for the Mini Proms, co-ordinating Parent/Teacher interviews, changing children's uniform when those little accidents arise, treating wounds and the oddest of medical incidents with my Occupational First Aid qualification, chasing large egrets and pigeons out of classrooms and many more. I often hear people tell me 'well, you never thought you'd be doing that when you took the job' or 'we don't know how you stay on top of so many things so calmly'. A lot comes more easily over time, but I pride myself on my organisational skills, so nothing is ever a surprise and it means I can cope when a few extraordinary little matters arise and still smile. Best of all I have the faith and trust of my colleagues, the school management and the school community and a whole, who know they can come to me for anything, at any time.



Warrington Borough Council

• United Kingdom
• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Communications Account Manager

  • Jan 2010 - Nov 2010

  After 12 years in journalism I skipped sides and I worked for WBC in their Communications dept, responsible for Neighbourhoods and Culture. This involved liaising with various stakeholders, meeting management, media relations, PR and even management. Ended when we emigrated. After 12 years in journalism I skipped sides and I worked for WBC in their Communications dept, responsible for Neighbourhoods and Culture. This involved liaising with various stakeholders, meeting management, media relations, PR and even management. Ended when we emigrated.



Freelance

• Freelance Sports Journalist

  • Jun 1998 - Apr 2008

  Publications in NZ (Rugby Times), UK (Guardian and BBC), Canada, America Radio, online and newspaper/magazines Covered Women's Rugby World Cups, Women's Cricket Ashes, Men's Rugby World Cup and many other events. See other sports journalism roles. Publications in NZ (Rugby Times), UK (Guardian and BBC), Canada, America Radio, online and newspaper/magazines Covered Women's Rugby World Cups, Women's Cricket Ashes, Men's Rugby World Cup and many other events. See other sports journalism roles.



Gloucestershire Live

• United Kingdom
• Book and Periodical Publishing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Senior Sports Writer

  • Dec 1999 - Mar 2008

  Initially a junior sports writer and a freelance sports journalist, I joined the full-time staff of the Citizen newspaper in Gloucester, which later became the sportsdesk for the Citizen and Cheltenham Echo and the group's website. After many years covering Forest Green Rovers FC, I was given the job I loved covering Gloucester Rugby Club. This was the back page (and often front page) lead in both papers in a county where rugby rules. My job took me around the country for Premiership games, to some wonderful continental cities for the European Cup games (Bucharest was a highlight) and to Kingsholm and Hartpury for the mainstay of my role. While my daily grind was match reports and interviews, my love was in feature writing. I met some amazing people and can claim the first interview with Mike Tindall and Zara Phillips that they did as a couple. I also covered darts, athletics, rugby league, soccer, local rugby and many other sports.



BBC

• United Kingdom
• Broadcast Media Production and Distribution
• 700 & Above Employee

• Radio and Online Sports Writer

  • Sep 1998 - Jun 2005

  I started on a short-time contract which, when I relocated, turned into me working regularly as a freelance for Aunty. Initially working in radio, I was asked to join the lively new, commercial online sports service 'beeb.com', I was soon covering Premiership rugby and ghosting columns for Dean Richards among others. Later I worked with the Football World Cup special team and the then Five Nations, before moving into sports section of bbc.co.uk (BBC News). Here I covered a variety of sports, writing features on women's cricket and the odd jobs taken by semi-professional sportsmen among others. I also moved back into radio as both a feature presenter - appearing on various 5Live programmes - and as part of the production team for bulletins and Saturday Sport.



Apollo Leisure PLC

• Assistant to the GBD Manager

  • Aug 1995 - Sep 1996

  Roger was an inspiration to me as I ventured into the world of business development and marketing. His vision and ability to make an opportunity from very little promise commanded and held the interest of his colleagues and employers alike. His boundless enthusiasm and conscientiousness was infectious, but at the same time he was able to spot potential in others around him. Nothing was too much trouble becuase every effort was worth it. A lot has happened in my career since Apollo, but I have never forgotten my time working with Roger.



Rank

• Travel Arrangements
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Ski Rep

  • Dec 1988 - Apr 1993

  After a full season in Les Diablerets, Switzerland, I then completed several weeks in a variety of resorts (France, Italy, Switzerland, Andorra) during the university holidays as a Ski Rep. This role included airport meet and greets and drop-offs, selling ski packs, managing chalet staff and co-ordinating apres-ski activities. Overall, ensuring the clients had the best possible holiday. After a full season in Les Diablerets, Switzerland, I then completed several weeks in a variety of resorts (France, Italy, Switzerland, Andorra) during the university holidays as a Ski Rep. This role included airport meet and greets and drop-offs, selling ski packs, managing chalet staff and co-ordinating apres-ski activities. Overall, ensuring the clients had the best possible holiday.