DCN May Edition 2019

The grill
Jackie Spiteri, manager environment and sustainability
at the Port of Newcastle, talks about Wales, the value
of the natural world, Lady Gaga and sporadic yoga.
Where did you grow up?
Brecon Beacons, Wales, United Kingdom
When you were growing up what job
did you want to do?
I wanted to be an archaeologist. I grew
up in an old house and would often find
fragments of bones and china in the
vegetable garden.
Why did you come to Australia?
My husband is Australian. We met whilst I
was completing my MSc in the Caribbean.
The plan was to do five years here and five
years in Wales but I have now been here for
over ten.
How could use what you learnt in
your training overseas in your role in
Australia?
I studied my undergraduate at Swansea
Institute (South Wales) and my post
graduate at Bangor School of Ocean
Sciences (North Wales). There were some
adjustments in coming to Australia to
practise my profession. The heat is an
obvious one. I actually found that the
principles of environmental management
in Wales were quite similar to Australia.
However, I had to familiarise myself with
the differing legislation and get up to speed
with all of the native flora and fauna. It is
a work in progress.
What attracted you to your current job?
Working in an environment that means
something to so many people. The role is
challenging and diverse. It is a large and
dynamic port. I have been here for eight
years and certainly don’t know everything.
I still find myself learning new things and
gaining new experiences every day.
What do you do in your spare time/do
you have any hobbies?
These days I mostly spend my spare time
with my family. I like to be outside. I also
like to think I am quite creative so often
have little projects going. Most recently I
have made a table and we have bees, so I
have been playing with the wax.
Do you play sport or play an instrument?
I sporadically go to yoga classes and will
often ride or walk to work. Other than that
no, although I would love to learn to sing.
What are some of the challenges of
working in an environment role?
There are challenges in balancing the need
to keep the business operating unhindered
while also ensuring an active and
sustainable environmental management
plan that is suitable for the future. For
me building positive relationships and
trust with stakeholders, both internal and
external, has been critical to achieving
this balance. Being able to demonstrate the
benefits of environmental improvements
in terms of economic, social and
environmental outcomes is imperative.
Working for a business that recognises the
importance of its social licence to operate
and the need to develop a sustainable port
certainly helps embed the right culture.
Who are some of your role models?
David Attenborough, for his passion and
understanding of the natural world. Stefani
Joanne Angelina Germanotta (Lady Gaga)
for her ability and her achievements.
What makes your work satisfying and
rewarding?
The ability to drive positive change and
know that I am helping to create a resilient
and sustainable port for the future
What are your secrets for maintaining
a good work/life balance?
It’s hard at times. I have a five year old
daughter, Florabella. Seeing how quickly
she is growing up is a reminder to switch
off and cherish time with my family. I am
lucky to work for a company that supports
a positive work-life balance.
If you were to name a ship, what would
it be and why?
Santorini Moonshine – I used to sail with my
dad growing up and these words make me
think of him
What is something you’ve done in your
current role that you’re proud of?
It is important to recognise that to
affect global change, there needs to be a
degree of consistency in the approach to
environmental management. Recognising
the importance of this has triggered Port
of Newcastle to sign up to the ECOSLC
(Sustainable Logistics Chain) Eco Ports
initiative. Eco Ports is a global network
of ports and terminals all committed to
improving environmental management
and sustainability outcomes through the
adoption of an environmental management
system framework developed specifically for
the industry, it also provides a platform for
best practice knowledge sharing.
What advice would you give someone
looking to get into your field?
Be prepared to expand your knowledge
base exponentially, try to gain as much
workplace experience as you can during
your studies and love what you do.
Image supplied
66 May 2019
thedcn.com.au