Category: Career

Almost surprised to realise that today I had a pretty good day at work. I decided to put the former treasurer’s antics out of my mind. I sorted my work into manageable piles and actually got through a bit of it. I tidied up a number of loose ends that have been nagging at me for weeks. I got a few volunteer workflow systems in place. I was able to quickly deal with a few different little queries that came up. I got a couple of other urgent jobs done.

I still have a large amount of bookwork to do in MYOB, but I’m not going to push myself too hard.

I joked to some colleagues today that my week has been like a country and western song – my dog died, the treasurer resigned, times are hard and this morning, someone rear-ended my car (not seriously).

Of course, I was able to joke about it because we had a lovely reversal of fortune at work today, with the announcement by the Queensland Minister for Health of a surprise one-off grant to all the hospices in the state.

The news couldn’t come at a better time, because things had been looking a bit glum for our cash flow. This will give it a significant boost.

Not sure exactly why it happened when it did, but the Hospice Treasurer resigned on Tuesday. I am the financial coordinator, so he and I worked pretty closely together. I was very disappointed by his decison, it takes a certain level of support away from my role and leaves a big question mark about what happens when he is replaced.

It has been a little stressful at work lately with negative cashflow. Some of the stress was alleviated by the memo Ros circulated yesterday to the staff about keeping costs down. Previously the other staff weren’t aware of the situation and every time another bill came in I was tearing my hair out.

I’m not sure how long we’ll be without a Treasurer. It is not vital to my day to day work, but it is important for the organisation. The former Treasurer was on a mission to upgrade and change the way we did things, including our system of bookkeeping. I’ve yet to bring the September quarter (prior to when I took over the role) into the new system. I’m happy with the new system, but we’ve been limping along without those first quarter figures, unable to formulate proper budgets. I’ve decided to give up the second week of my holidays to work from home and get the books right up to date.

Ros would prefer that I take the two weeks off but supports my decision. I’m glad because I feel I’ll have no real peace of mind until I’m able to produce useful reports that I am fully confident of.

Repercussions from Gayle not getting her old job back – she’s been telling one of our event sponsors that Hospice wont be bothering with local fundraising events anymore. The new direction from “that man up there” – our Treasurer, whom she has never had time for. Complete rubbish but it has completely cheesed this sponsor off. Personally I think this guy is hard work, Gayle did a lot of schmoozing to build the relationship with him. But he is (or was) one of our important supporters, the annual event he hosts has raised a lot of awareness and funds for us.

Over the years she’d become quite good friends with him and his wife, and knowing her as I do I can see her getting catty and confidential with them about her former workplace. Particularly as she has an axe to grind. It’s just a shame she has to harm a charitable cause to win some personal satisfaction.

Ros said it was “disappointing”. To me, it just substantiates some of the negative feelings I have had towards her lately. It is a shame.

By tomorrow afternoon the Great Ipswich Duck Race will finally be over! The final event with all 51 finalists takes place at Riverlink tomorrow morning. They each draw a key and see if it wins the new car.

What an ordeal it has been coordinating the ticket sales for the weekly draws. Too much work for such little return, we only sold 3,400 tickets out of the hoped for 20,000. The words “never again” from management have been music to my ears.

Some good news today, a grant submission I prepared for the Hospice was successful. We’ve been awarded more than $20k towards new office/IT equipment from the Gambling Community Benefit Fund.