Back at work at Parks Victoria

I started back in the City Office on Bourke Street at Parks Victoria on November 29th, 2010. It is nice to be back to the same desk and now familiar faces on the 9th floor. I really like my workspace here at PV in the open concept space with no cubicle walls. The bonus for me is that I have a great big window at my desk that gives lots of daylight. A huge contrast from my tiny cubicle space with a big column and no window light back home.
Being back at the office has been exciting with so many upcoming changes. A new State Government was elected days after we arrived, a new CEO starts January10th and Parks Victoria is under a review period and a time of change. It is motivating and a great time to continue to work on the heritage management strategy and also has presented some challenges to our timeline and initial approach, but nothing we can't work through.



My desk is exactly as I had left it 6months ago! An amazing occurence that is awesome is that monarch butterflies have been flying up to my window!! I love butterflies and knew of the abundance of them this year in the city but did not think they would fly this high up!!! At least once a day I see once outside the window. My desk is to the right of the sculpture in front of the window.



A big part of any strategy or plan review at Parks Victoria is internal and external consultation. I just completed the Communication and Engagement Strategy for our review which will be interesting to implement as we follow a new method of engaging both staff and the public that has been applied recently in management planning and strategy reviews. The internet will be a key component with a WePlan site and blog for consultation. Currently I am working on some discussion papers to post for feedback. Specific to internal consultation I also just completed drafting a staff survey to seek opinion and create awareness on heritage issues and are hoping to circulate as soon as we get approval. We will also be working with staff and senior management to develop a long-term vision for heritage management across the organization.



I am back working with Chris Smith who has just finished his second rotation in Canada where he was working in the Eastern Ontario field unit at the Rideau Canal as a heritage planner. It is great to be back and to be part of the branch and division again and catching up on Parks Victoria news and with colleagues.

Yarra Mud Man sculpture from the Parks Victoria Art Collection and keeping his eye on us in the office! Sculpture is made from mud obtained from the Yarra River by artist Francois Mezapelle during an artist and residency with Parks Victoria.



Our lunch room on the 9th Floor




Morning Tea - this lovely event occurs every Wednesday with each branch taking turns to organize tea and treats! It is such a good way to meet people who work on the floor find out what others are working on and there is always great fresh fruit!!!!



View from a bench I was sitting on in the food court across from our work building. It is fabulous with great take-away food, sit down restaurants and coffee shops.

My favorite litte cupcake shop - once a week I treat myself to a mini cupcake and coffee from here..they are soooo good!