Fiona Read

Community Development Officer - Monash Council

Graduated in:

2006

Course completed:

Bachelor of Health Science majoring in health promotion and nutrition
Bachelor of Arts majoring in psychology

Currently working for:

Monash Council

What year did you begin working at this organisation?

2008

Position title and short job description:

Community Development Officer. As part of my role I coordinate 6 portfolio areas utilising different skills such as project management, community consultation and engagement, advocacy, policy development, facilitating community participation, facility development for community space and social inclusion as well as other tasks including grant writing and strengthening partnerships local, regional and state-wide.

The portfolio areas I am responsible for are:

• Monash Men’s Shed
• Monash Young Persons Reference Group
• Monash Safe Venues Liquor Accord
• Monash Gambling policy
• Monash Women’s Leadership and participation Strategy
• Neighbourhood Houses and community Hub

Working highlight so far:

Seeing the development of the Monash Men’s Shed from an idea to a building to an organisation with community ownership and growing membership. It is great when I get to visit the Shed and see the new additions (such as a new machine or information) and the excitement about the new projects the men are undertaking.

What are the things you enjoy most about your job?

Having something different to do every day and knowing that what I do has the possibilities to make a positive difference to people's lives, increasing social connections and enhancing health and wellbeing.

An area in which you have needed assistance:

There are always new things to learn, and it is great to work in a place that is supportive, knowing that you can ask questions when there is something that you don't understand or need clarification about.

What do you intend to do in the future?

I would like to do further study to learn more and apply ideas that I have learnt since working for the past three years.

#1 tip for current students studying your course:

You will learn so much in your course, but go out and get as much experience in the workplace and field while you are studying. This will likely be voluntary, but what you learn and gain from this will be worth more than your time.