Last Day

My last day at Alzheimer’s Australia was a poignant one for me. After all the trouble I had in finding a placement, I was desperately relieved when I finally found one. It seems like only last week I was being introduced to everyone in the office; now I’m saying goodbye.


Working at Alzheimer’s Australia has been a wonderful experience. The people there are supportive, and the working environment is relaxed while still being professional and having structure.


I spent my last day finishing up a summary and working on the script of a radio advert we were going to run. Later in the day during afternoon tea, we had cakes and cookies, and my department heads gave a little speech about my departure. It was very flattering. They’ve been great colleagues, and I appreciate that they appreciate my work there.


In my time at Alzheimer’s Australia WA, I’ve had the chance to perform a wide range of tasks, ranging from writing humble media releases to helping out at an event, to writing an editorial response on behalf of our CEO for the newspaper. This diversity has been both challenging, but also a rewarding and deeply enriching experience.


Personally, I reckon a good measure of an experience is how badly you want it to end. Of course I’d rather be relaxing at home rather than in the office, but if Katharina rang me up and said the unit requirements were now 40 days instead of 20, I’d have no qualms about working there another few weeks. Now that my placement is at an end, I am almost sorry to leave.


I have been in courses, and some units in Curtin, where attendance has been less of an ‘experience’ and more like an ‘ordeal’. In those instances, I’m glad it’s over and have no regrets. I can happily declare my time at Alzheimer’s Australia to be quite the opposite.


I must thank Joel Chan, my immediate supervisor, for being so patient and supportive. He is part of what makes our 'department' into a 'team'. I also owe thanks to Margaret Haydon, the head of the public affairs and fundraising 'team', whose kind recommendation secured me a job immediately after my placement ended.

I wish you fellow bloggers all the best in your placements and work experiences. May you remember the good times, forget the bad, and may your boss be kind and fair and generous.