ON THE RADAR Our people
Shutdown recruits look forward to office life Remote workplace introductions for new Headquarters staff members.
S
tarting a new job can be challenging at any time but joining an organisation in the midst of a pandemic shutdown at least means you feel right at home in your new workplace. Two of the newest members of the MRNSW staff, IT Developer/ Project Manager Oscar Willems and Receptionist/Office Manager Stephanie Bruno, were appointed after Headquarters staff had begun working from home in mid-March. The pair’s initial introductions to their new colleagues were via Zoom. New Stores Manager Daniel Gatt was the third to join, still during the head office shutdown, after the June long weekend. Anyone who has caught a Sydney train and glanced up at the destination boards on the platform is familiar with Oscar’s work. He was the original architect of the software system for the rolling screens that keep passengers informed of approaching trains, destinations and delays. He first worked for Sydney Trains in 1997 on the project to introduce the new indicator system before the 2000 Olympic Games. “The technology has changed over time but the suite of applications still exists in all the big stations,” he said. After leaving to join the NASDAQ
stock exchange for a period, he returned to the public transport system, before joining MRNSW. Originally from Holland, Oscar first came to Austalia in 1991 as part of a planned working tour through a number of countries. “I had a ball, moved to Cronulla, started attempting to surf, started playing soccer for the Cronulla Seagulls and all of a sudden I wake up and I’ve got a wife, a couple of kids, a house and a mortgage,” he said. Oscar said he was looking forward to working for a dynamic emergency service but although he had been keen to work closer to home, being “stuck at home” was much closer than he had expected. Stephanie joins MRNSW from her previous role as the Customer Service Team Leader for the Beauty Chef, a largely online provider of inner beauty products. Not only did the pandemic force Stephanie to start her work life with MRNSW from home, it also prevented her from farewelling her former colleagues in person. “We’d already started working from home and people found out I was leaving online. I had a Zoom farewell and it was so strange that I couldn’t hug people,” she said. Living an easy walk from the office, her new role provides
Joining MRNSW during shutdown ... new receptionist/office manager Stephanie Bruno and IT Developer/Project Manager Oscar Willems.
Stephanie with a greater work-life balance, replacing a three-hour daily commute. She has been routinely spending mornings in the office to help keep processes functioning but is looking foward to staff returning to work. “I’m very organised and I love that. I was in finance a year or so ago but I need to be interacting with people. It’s nice to be able to come in and talk to my mates. “I’m a people person, I like dealing with people and I’m looking forward to talking to our volunteers and hearing their perspectives.” Daniel, who comes to MRNSW after a lengthy career as a warehouse supervisor, storeman and stock controller, will spend his first
few weeks on the job at the existing Chatswood Stores, learning the MRNSW ropes with Graham Foy. Daniel said he was looking forward to the move to the brand new set-up at the Cronulla Headquarters site, planned for July. “It’s always good when you get to put the warehouse together yourself because then you know where everything is,” he said. His previous role was with a Sydney audio-visual firm and while he had not had a passion for the technology involved, working with volunteers who saved lives was “100 per cent more meaningful”. “I’m privileged to be able to jump on board and add my little part where I can,” he said.
P
O b
Deputy thanked for tireless commitment
C
ommissioner Stacey Tannos has thanked former Deputy Commissioner Dean Storey for his far-reaching contribution to the organisation over the past seven years. “Dean has been tireless in his commitment to the professional development and reform of Marine Rescue NSW,” he said. “His key achievements since joining MRNSW in June 2013
include the development of industry-leading standard operating procedures, training programs and initiatives to enhance service delivery and personnel safety, qualifications and experience. “He has steered the organisation’s $24.5 million Fleet Modernisation Progam, enabling us to deliver safe, reliable and contemporary boats to our volunteers.
“He was also pivotal in the development of the MRNSW capital works program to guide the investment of an additional $37.6 million in State Government funding announced last year.” Mr Storey was recognised with the Emergency Services Medal in 2019. Commissioner Tannos wished him well in his future career endeavours following his departure in March.
Former Deputy Commissioner Dean Storey.
16 MARINE RESCUE NSW | SOUNDINGS
1729 Ai
