I’m always excited as the end of the month approaches, as another EA showcase is presented and I personally gain so much from this, as I hope you do too! We all started somewhere, and it is interesting to see what paths are chosen along the way. We receive a lot of questions around EAs working at Parliament House, how they got there, what they do each day and does it differ greatly, so I am super pleased that Katrina has obliged us this month by sharing a little about her journey and the EA role she does so well. I encourage comments here, so please comment on any of our social media pages (links below) and feel free to ask any question you may have.
We continue to interview EAs from our own home town, Canberra. Our goal is to raise the profile of EAs with a view to build awareness of the Executive Assistant role by sharing the diversity that the role entails, after all, it’s not about the destination as you know, it’s all about the journey!
Enjoy and please share, share and share in support of your peers! 
If you’d like to contribute to the stories of our fabulous EAs, please get in touch with us, we’d love to hear from you.
Ursula x
KATRINA GILLOGLY
Born and educated in Canberra, I am married with 3 school aged children. As a 17 year old finishing year 12 at Philip College, I accepted a full time position in data entry with Spotless Services. I quickly realised that I enjoyed an office environment and that administrative work was going my career of choice.
In 1997, I joined the Security Branch in the Parliamentary Service. In 1999 I was offered my first EA role in the Department of the House of Representatives working to the Clerk Assistant Procedure in the Clerks Office.
In years following I took on roles such as Whip’s Clerk in the Office of the Government Whip, Administrative Assistant, Office Manager and Project Officer in the Department of the House of Representatives. The variety of positions enabled me to better understand business operations in a parliamentary environment. To further support my career; in 2013 I also completed my Diploma in Business Administration.
After reflecting on my career of 20 years, I’ve realised that I enjoyed being an EA and my mission was to search for that perfect EA role. In March last year I accepted an EA position with Paul Cooper, First Assistant Secretary, Building & Security Division at the Department of Parliamentary Services.
Name your current role?
EA to the First Assistant Secretary, Paul Cooper
Building & Security Division
Department of Parliamentary Services
&
Acting EA to the Secretary, Rob Stefanic
Department of Parliamentary Services
Do you remember the first day you became an EA?
Indeed I do! Even though I have had a couple of EA roles previously, my most recent EA appointment to the FAS has been the most memorable (and between you and me at times the most challenging).
Recognising my passion for EA work and that I was looking for a new challenge, through fear of the unknown, I apprehensively registered my details on the DPS temp employment register. This then turned into a chat over coffee with a representative from DPS, where I learnt very quickly that my diverse parliamentary knowledge and experience would be a valued by DPS.
Paul and his Executive Officer Kristin interviewed me for a temporary role. (I understand after I left them they high fived and said “we want her!” which was great as I also wanted this opportunity.)
What would you consider to be the most rewarding part of your position as an EA?
Working in Australian Parliament House (the iconic building that it is), is something I will never take for granted. I feel a sense of pride every time I enter the building. It’s also an exciting time to be a part of DPS. Since 2016 a new Secretary and management team have brought such positive change to the Department.
My role is never boring, I have a boss with a larger than life personality, I’m his gatekeeper, I juggle 40 different things every day, hundreds of emails, and accepting no 2 days are the same. The best way to succeed is for me to take each day as it comes. Whilst this may all sound exhausting to some, to me it’s all in a day’s work! However it doesn’t come without some frustrations!
I’m still researching how I can discreetly place a tracking device on my boss as he often goes missing within the rabbit warren of the massive building that Parliament House is. If any of you have any pointers, I would welcome the advice!
What was a role that you have owned or an experience you have had, that helped shaped your success in your current position?
During 20 years in the Parliamentary Service, with most of my career in the Department of the House of Representatives Committee Office. It has been essential for me to build excellent working relationships with Parliamentarians and senior level public servants. Excellent communication, organisational skills and the ability to juggle many changing priorities has been the key to success. It is also essential to be open, honest and discrete when dealing with sensitive information. My motto I, “treat others how I would like to be treated!”.
What are three items you can’t work without?
- Coffee, coffee, coffee
- Yellow highlighter
- Parliamentary sitting calendar!