Changes

APRIL 2010


Big changes in my life.


1. I am working full time again (sob!)
2. I sold my Pitts Special (sob!)
Actually, both are good news.
I am working at the City of Sydney in Town hall House as an editor for the city’s publications.
It is a three-month contract with a view to extending it or making it permanent if it all works out. It is nine to five, five days a week with half and hour for lunch. I’m a proper commuter, coming into the city on the train with all the other lemmings. I leave home at 8.17 and am at my desk by 8.57. It is three minutes and 40 seconds from the train to my desk. I get home at 5.45 pm. Pay is not bad, but no holidays or sick leave – I am just a contractor.
I am part of the Communications and Media team working under the City Engagement director. My team is friendly, helpful, hard working and averages less than half my age. Most of them are young women but (possibly because I am very old) I have been given the status of honorary girl so I can share some of the best gossip and swap fashion tips.
My induction formalities included the very important question: “Can you bake?” D’oh? It turns out there is a baking roster! The comms team has morning tea at 11 every Friday and someone brings along a cake, usually home baked. I look confused and babble some evasive answer. I think “Oh dear, can a cynical old journo like me fit into this supportive and encouraging environment?” Of course I can.
On my first full day I find there is also a kitchen roster! There’s more chores here than at home!
Here are some impressions. I edit a job advert for an IT person. It is about “The digital environment – customer-centric digital experience for our communities.”
A lot of us had tea with the Lord Mayor in a newly refurbished space under the Town Hall. I wear a tie for the occasion. Lousy coffee, good biscuits. A feel-good speech congratulating everyone, a very professional powerpoint display behind her, changing to match the subject. She speeds through the speech a bit to tick all the boxes and congratulate everyone on the list. But she’s very good chatting to people and having photos taken.
I have my photo taken and put on the internal website. Fame!
Meetings are very quick smart. The managers all lay their blackberries on the table before them, look at them and finger them intermittently. I learn about collateral and how not to put precise dates on projects because of all the uncertainties. A few ongoings and actionings and going forwards pepper the conversations.
CEO tells us that after extensive workshopping, the City of Sydney has decided the purpose of our organisation is to: Lead, Govern and Serve. And that our values are: Integrity, Innovation, Collaboration, Courage and Quality. That sounds just like me!