8 / 16
Where can we find you?
I work as a Civil Engineer for the
Roads and Maritime Services
(used to be RTA) here in Narrabri.
Why did you enter that field?
My maths teacher in years 6-8 at
school was a civil engineer and
we got along really well. Most
of the stuff he taught just made
sense! He left when I started year
11, and I almost found my way to
the dark side, looking to become
an accountant (sorry to any ac-
countants out there..). Then a
Cadetship with the RTA came up
in the paper, so I applied for it
and was lucky enough to be suc-
cessful! I’ve been with them ever
since.
Tell us about your average day:
I generally start around 8-8.30
am and try to sort out what I
didn’t get done yesterday and
what I need to do today.
Some days it will be straight out
to the job site to see how road-
works are progressing, talking to
crews, making sure everything
is as it should be. Occasionally
there are a few HR issues to be
resolved, but most of them can
be sorted there and then.
Chances are there will be some
sort of report due, so I’ll check
how money, productivity, qual-
ity, risks and opportunities are
going. Then it’ll be time to grind
out some of the daily paper work
(mostly invoices and quality as-
surance documents). Then there
will be a little bit of time to start
preparing for the next project.
What is great about being a
young person in your field of
work, working in a regional
area, like Narrabri?
I like the responsibility. Work-
ing in a regional area, where it is
difficult to get engineers, means
you’re thrown in the deep end!
I’m able to get experience run-
ning an entire small project, com-
pared to just working on a small
part of a big project. Going into
the future I’ll be able to transfer
those skills into more complex
projects.
How do you relax?
I’m pretty keen on my AFL. So I
get down to No. 3 Oval to run
around with the mighty Eagles!
I also dabble in touch footy and
tennis, it keeps me pretty busy
most evenings.
I also spend a fair bit of time re-
searching for Fantasy Football
competitions. I’m in with Uni
mates. It gets hectic! I have just
finished a massive
Entourage
binge, so I’m looking out for an-
other show to watch.
Where did you live before?
Dubbo. I moved here to take up a
permanent position
Highlight of 2014?
Probably going over to Phuket in
July for 10 nights. I think the less I
say about it, the better..
What’s playing on you ipod?
The last few years of Triple J’s Hot-
test 100. So many good tracks!
Who inspires you the most?
People who just go in and get
things done, day in, day out. Es-
pecially farmers like my Dad and
Grandad.
Signature dish?
Potato Bake.
You have one last meal. What
would it be?
Probably tacos, lots and lots of
tacos.
What’s on your bucket list?
To watch as many major sport-
ing codes around the world. NFL,
NBA, NHL, Le Tour De France,
Wimbledon, the Ashes at Lords,
just to name a few!
Will you be going to the Next
Gen Ball in April?
For sure! I will be the one with
bells on.
(pictured with Melissa Wood)
Where can we find you?
At Westpac as a Personal Banker.
Why did you enter that field?
I was previously a Commercial
Business Manager for Caltex and
couldn’t bring my role with me.
I had always wanted to give the
banking world a go and was lucky
enough that when my partner
moved, the advertisement for
the Personal Banker role came
up. I applied and moved down 2
weeks later.
Tell us about your average day:
We live in Wee Waa so I commute
every morning and afternoon.
I spend the majority of my day
dealing with customer enquiries
and making sure they get the ab-
solute best out of their everyday
and business banking. I enjoy the
relationship management side of
my role the most.
How do you relax?
We are keen waterskiers – it
isn’t uncommon for us to drive
500kms in one weekend to find
water, which is usually at Goondi-
windi as that is where my family
is. There is generally a fair group
of us who travel from through-
out the region to catch up most
weekends while on the water and
that is usually followed by some
drinks and a BBQ.
What is great about being a
young person in your field of
work, working in a regional
area, like Narrabri?
I find the stories that people have
to tell while sitting in my office
are incredible. As someone who
didn’t grow up in the region there
are so many special claims that
families have here from the start
of cotton in Australia, leaders in
the agricultural field, long lasting
family businesses whether they
be ag related or service provid-
ers to the town and region, to the
new comers to the region, like
myself, wanting to get on board
and become part of something
special.
Where did you live before?
I grew up in Central West
Queensland where my par-
ents were shearing contractors.
But I have recently moved from
Goondiwindi where we now have
a family business.
My partner was promoted
through his work and now man-
ages Kenway and Clark in Wee
Waa. The opportunity and sense
of a new adventure was exciting
for the both of us and are very
happy we have relocated.
Highlight of 2014?
2014 was a massive year for me.
I had purchased my first home,
travelled lots of exciting places,
moved to Wee Waa, and have
watched our little side business,
#AustralianAgriculture, that Sam is
the founder and face of, blossom
beyond our wildest dreams. 2015
will be even bigger and better.
Any New Years Resolutions?
I would say exercise but who ac-
tually lives up to that one! So I
should probably just admit that
I need to work on my addiction
to chocolate and caffeine – the
ladies from One23 won’t bar me
from the shop!
What’s playing on you ipod?
Anything from Creedence to the
Queen B.
Who inspires you the most?
My family - we all walk and have
walked completely different paths
in life. And my partner Sam, his
determination and knowledge is
something I wish I could have.
You have one last meal. What
would it be?
My mother’s Lasagne.
What’s on your bucket list?
I’m a dreamer so let’s just say that
once I complete one dream, an-
other pops up. But my most re-
cent would be for Sam and I to
move to America or Canada for
a year.
(pictured with Sam Collier)
luke McDermott
Spot light on a “Next Gen”
Young Professional.
NextGen
Interviews
Jana Keefe
Spot light on a “Next Gen”
Young Professional.
8 iNarrabri Magazine
February 19th - March 4th