What our grads say

The DAFF Graduate Development Program (GDP) has provided many interesting and varying experiences to the graduates who have participated. These individual profiles give an insight into their GDP experience and what they have done since completing the GDP.

Jacqui Lizzio

Bachelor of Arts (Communications) at the University of Technology, Sydney and Master of Applied Science (Environmental Science) at the University of Sydney. Joined the department as a graduate in 2007.

The graduate year was fun, busy and challenging, and it provided me with the opportunity to try different things, regardless of my background experience. The training schedule gave us access to some highly qualified and insightful speakers and we grads had a great time training together. The leadership training at Thredbo was particularly fun and the walk up Mount Kosciusko in rain and hail was nothing short of character building!

The opportunities presented to a graduate are numerous and during my three rotations I had diverse experiences with research, policy and program delivery. My first rotation was in the Bureau of Rural Sciences (BRS) where I worked on a triple-bottom-line project and attended workshops with representatives from many agricultural industries. My second rotation in Rural Policy and Innovation gave me first hand insight into the issues driving rural policy at a local and individual level. I attended a forum with a large group of young farmers which gave me—with my non-rural background—an understanding of perspectives at the 'grass roots' of our portfolio. My last rotation in Biosecurity Australia involved attending international delegation meetings, liaison with many areas in the department and becoming familiar with the importance of protecting Australia’s borders from pests and diseases when working on import and export risk analyses.

Since completing the graduate program, I am working in the BRS on biotechnology projects.

The graduate year was a well-rounded experience in both a work and social sense. I was given a lot of responsibility which was challenging but proved to be invaluable. Being a DAFF grad is never boring!

Callum Burke

Studied Bachelor of Commerce (Major Accounting) at Latrobe University Bendigo. Joined the department in 2007.

Growing up and studying in a regional area exposed me to many issues that affect Australian agriculture. After looking at different job options I found that I was really attracted to the work being done by DAFF, and since joining have developed an even stronger interest.

Starting a new job and a professional career is a scary step for anyone. The Graduate Development Program (GDP) was a great way to enter such a large and diverse department, and the Australian Public Service as a whole. Right from the start of the interview process the DAFF recruitment team made me feel like I belonged—they made the selection process, the move to Canberra and the department easy.

My graduate year was full of challenges, personal development and lots of fun. Working on farm adjustment programs and grant programs to help farmers become more innovative and sustainable introduced me to a broad range of stakeholders. My final rotation in the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) gave me a chance to see the important role we play in keeping our country safe from pest and disease.

Besides rotations in the department, grads get heaps of training and development opportunities. As a DAFF grad I’ve been behind the scenes at AQIS operations in Sydney airport and attended a three day leadership training course in Thredbo—there are lots of opportunities to get away from the desk.

One of the biggest surprises for me was how topical the work is. It's often in the news—and that makes what we do even more rewarding.

The GDP gave me opportunities for many experiences that are unusual for someone with a commerce degree. I now work in the Corporate Finance area of the department and see the benefits of being in the 2007 GDP everyday.

Completing the DAFF graduate program opens many doors—the only limits on your future options within the department are those you set yourself.

Clare Creegan

Graduated from the University of Western Australia with a Bachelor of Arts/Communications (Politics major) in 2006. Participated in the DAFF graduate program in 2007.

I grew up on my family's wheat and sheep farm in Western Australia, and have always had an interest in agriculture. While at university I worked in a variety of positions related to agriculture, including as a Policy Officer for a Member of Parliament, a student journalist for a rural newspaper and a grain sampler for Co-operative Bulk Handling. I saw the DAFF graduate program as a good opportunity to pursue my interest in communications, politics and agriculture.

I had never been to Canberra and it seemed a long way from Perth, but I decided it was a fitting place to begin a career in government. The move from WA was a bit daunting at first, but DAFF arranged my relocation and once I arrived 58 fellow graduates from across Australia made sure there was never a dull moment.

As a graduate I did rotations in the Sugar Implementation section of Food and Agriculture, the Western Australian joint team in Natural Resource Management division and the department's Public Relations section. I loved each of my rotations and was constantly surprised by the diversity of work undertaken by different divisions of the department. I gained experience and highly transferable skills in project management, communications, public affairs and policy development.

The grad program has been an amazing experience with challenging work, great people, training and support. I could not recommend it more highly.

Mark Harvey-Sutton

Studied Law at James Cook University in Townsville. Joined the DAFF GDP in 2007.

I grew up in the cattle producing and gold mining town of Charters Towers in North Queensland. The town had three boarding schools which serviced all parts of rural western Queensland, so although I did not grow up on a property, a lot of the mates I made there were from remote cattle stations dotted all over the place. It was through these contacts that first I gained empathy for the challenging Australian country lifestyle and I have remained passionate about rural issues and the agricultural sector.

I studied law at James Cook University in Townsville and when I was nearing the end of my studies I was torn as to where my career should lead—should I go to country Queensland to practice as a solicitor, or head to the big smoke of Canberra to work for the government. I definitely made the right choice!

The DAFF GDP has given me a broad range of skills and training that will place me in good stead for the rest of my career—wherever it may lead. I have also had the chance to travel all over Australia, to speak to farmers in rural areas and to state government bodies in the capital cities. It is a satisfying to know that the work you do has an effect in the 'real world' and that you are doing something positive for the agricultural sector.

My three rotations during the program gave me a thorough knowledge of how the government, the public service and the corporate world operate as well as how government policies are made.

Some of the great things that I got up to during my graduate year were:

• going on a drought assessment tour of the Murray River’s irrigation areas in South Australia
• representing the department on a Drought Bus tour of south east Queensland
• providing advice to the minister on applications to export bulk wheat
• speaking to tropical fruit growers in the Byron Bay area about the impacts of flying foxes
• participating in the process of implementing changes to the wheat marketing governance arrangements which included amendments to legislation.

The GDP also provides you with an instant social network of people from all over Australia. I have made some fantastic friendships that will continue long down the track. The graduate coordinators are also fantastic—always there with a friendly ear and happy to help even after you have finished the program.

In a supportive and encouraging environment, the year challenged me to reach my potential. Since completing the program, I have become a case officer in the Drought and Exceptional Circumstances area where we assess applications from state based bodies applying for assistance from the Australian Government.

I’m still directly involved with farmers and enjoying effective 'hands on' work. I look forward to continuing my career with the department and I would recommend the grad program to anyone interested in the issues covered by the agriculture portfolio.

Jennifer Davis

I graduated as a vet from University of Queensland in 2006, and joined the DAFF Graduate Development Program in 2007.

I found the program to be fun, challenging and rewarding. It gave me an opportunity to work in three different areas of DAFF. My first rotation was in the ruminants section of Animal Biosecurity, where I was involved in the development of import conditions for animals and animal products through the import risk analysis process.

My second rotation provided the experience of working in the Invasive Marine Species Program. This challenged me to use my veterinary skills outside of the usual sphere and provided experience in the unique committee structure Australia has in place to coordinate activities between the States, Territories and the Commonwealth.

In my final rotation I was involved in the emergency response to equine influenza. This provided unique experience in emergency management and the opportunity to travel to Queensland and work in a Local Disease Control Centre.

Since completing the program I have worked in a number of areas within the Department and I’m now working in the International Programs and Disease Intelligence Section within the Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer. This section conducts surveillance for threats offshore, works with regional countries to build their biosecurity capability and looks ahead to possible threats to Australia’s biosecurity system.

A major component of my current role is horizon scanning, including working on the Australian Animal Health Scanning Network website, which assists mapping and tracking emerging trends in animal health. It connects users from all over Australia, providing opportunities to link trends and analyse data. This work means organisations and people can better anticipate and prepare for the future.

There is a wealth of opportunities for interesting and meaningful work being a vet at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry – new challenges and even travel.

I recently went to Kenya and had the opportunity to observe the effects of foot and mouth disease (FMD) firsthand. I’ve gained hands-on experience investigating the disease, which will provide valuable knowledge and practical experience with recognising and treating FMD, should it ever enter Australia.

I’ve also participated in off-shore animal health survey and capacity building work in Papua New Guinea.

I would have to say that the best thing about my job is the excellent people I work with.