After leaving school I worked as a vet nurse from 7am to 3pm, then at a racing stable from 4pm to 6pm. I loved animals but lacked the necessary qualifications to progress to become a vet. I tried purchasing a racehorse, arranging to have him trained and cared for at the racing stables where I worked in lieu of wages. His name was Gaymist. Sadly, he was more workhorse than racehorse and ended up being sold to a riding school. I did some travelling then commenced work in a trotting stable with the Kersley family, well known in WA. Of course, I had high ideas of becoming a trainer too. I bought a trotter called Daniel Boone in partnership with my then boyfriend. Well, that horse loved to stay at the back of the field and admire the rumps of the horses in front of him. Another failure. I sold my share of that horse to the boyfriend and said goodbye to them. Yes, both horse and boyfriend were bad decisions.
Some more travelling and a look at more attainable careers. I served 3 years in the British Police before returning home and joining the RAAF Police and Security division.
My brilliant career was one I came upon by accident, literally. After 15yrs I had left the RAAF and settled in Victoria with my husband. A variety of jobs followed before joining the Godfrey Hirst Group. The Government had a scheme where employers were offered financial incentives to offer an apprenticeship to older workers, so I took full advantage of that. I did Human Resources initially, becoming the HR manager at their Geelong site. I loved it.
Some more travelling and a look at more attainable careers. I served 3 years in the British Police before returning home and joining the RAAF Police and Security division.
My brilliant career was one I came upon by accident, literally. After 15yrs I had left the RAAF and settled in Victoria with my husband. A variety of jobs followed before joining the Godfrey Hirst Group. The Government had a scheme where employers were offered financial incentives to offer an apprenticeship to older workers, so I took full advantage of that. I did Human Resources initially, becoming the HR manager at their Geelong site. I loved it.
One fateful day I was onsite with a WorkSafe inspector and a site manager reviewing employee training following a workplace accident. As we walked and talked, I stepped off a loading dock, next to the actual steps, and found myself doing a very embarrassing faceplant in the concrete. Not my finest hour. At least WorkSafe was on hand!!
Upon being cleared to resume work on modified duties, I had numerous meetings with my boss, my Doctor and the insurer’s case manager and found myself becoming interested in Return to Work (RTW) solutions. Godfrey Hirst had employment opportunities in their Preston and Reservoir sites for OHS managers and could still take advantage of that Govt incentive, so off I went to Uni and WorkSafe for training. It caused great amusement when I attended OHS training on crutches.
Upon being cleared to resume work on modified duties, I had numerous meetings with my boss, my Doctor and the insurer’s case manager and found myself becoming interested in Return to Work (RTW) solutions. Godfrey Hirst had employment opportunities in their Preston and Reservoir sites for OHS managers and could still take advantage of that Govt incentive, so off I went to Uni and WorkSafe for training. It caused great amusement when I attended OHS training on crutches.
Ironically this accident and career change lead to the most rewarding and enjoyable career of my life. I could write a whole new story on accidents, incidents and solutions in the workplace, but that’s another article for another time.
Heather Hartland
June 2024
Heather Hartland
June 2024
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