For someone who was once resigned to working in taxation, Leanne Millhouse has had an enviable career in Antarctic shipping and operations.
After 41 years with the Australian Antarctic Division, Leanne is the longest serving staff member and a great example of how a career can unfold, even in the absence of a plan.
Now on the eve of her retirement, she reflects on the exciting and rewarding career she created by going with the flow.
“I had no idea about Antarctica when I started at the Australian Antarctic Division in 1982,” she said.
“I came in on a 17 week training scheme in the Registry section (which included records, office services and mail processing) and then I kept applying for temporary jobs as they came up.”
With no firm employment commitment, however, Leanne sat the Public Service merit selection exam and was offered a job with the Australian Taxation Office. Just before she left, a permanent position in the Antarctic Division’s Registry section opened up, and the rest is history.
“I ended up here permanently and then I just fell into things from there. I never had a definite plan or career path.”
What Leanne did have was a willingness to try anything and work hard at it. This included working in various Head Office positions in finance, property, reception and expeditioner liaison, and later as a Voyage Leader, Deputy Voyage Leader, and an Operations Coordinator at Casey and Davis stations.
