Gabriel Zito trying out the FLAIM system - a virtual firefighting program at the 2019 International Women's Day event at Federation Square.
As cliché as it sounds, it’s hard to believe how quickly this year has gone, and how sad I am that my time working at the CRC is up. Through my placement, I have had the opportunity to spend 12 months working with some of the brightest, funniest and passionate people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.
If I’m being honest, I admit that I had some reservations in the days leading up to starting work in January last year – I pictured a drab grey office and silent workers with the exception of keyboards clacking away. Instead, I’ve had conversations ranging from the science behind a pyrocumulonimbus to fire coalescence and everything in between. From Day One I was thrown into the deep-end and have loved every moment of it.
This entire opportunity has been nothing short of amazing and I would like to thank both Nathan Maddock and David Bruce for letting me be a part of this experience; they have been incredibly patient with me when I first began and since then have really helped me to develop as journalist.
Working at the CRC and being a part of the Communications team has allowed me to do so many things I never really thought I’d get to do while still studying at university – I’ve written several times for the Fire Australia magazine we co-publish, I’ve written for the Australian Journal of Emergency Management, referenced in reports and led the development of our Postgraduate Research booklet.
To the next intern off the ranks Radhiya – the CRC is a fantastic workplace to have as your first full-time job! Everyone is incredibly passionate in what they do and I’m sure you’ll fit right into the team dynamic, so welcome to family.
Once again, a big thank you to everyone who has been a part of my placement. I will be back at Swinburne University in 2020 for my final year of university but I will be sure to continue to stress the important of research within the emergency management sector.