Issue 58 Newsletter 2017 - Finance and Customer Support Officer - Kate Weston

1. When did you commence employment with Leeton Shire Council? 9^th January 2017

2. What is your role/s at Leeton Shire Council? Primarily, I am the Finance & Customer Support Officer three days a week, Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. However, I have also taken-up a casual Project Management role under the umbrella of Economic Development for the other two days of the week.

3. What was your previous workplace background prior to starting employment with Leeton Shire Council?

4. Where were you born and raised? Leeton! Do you have any children? I have two beautiful, energetic boys; Augie 4 and Olly 3. Married etc? Yes, I’m married. You probably know my husband and have seen him around the office from time to time, helping to keep LSC staff cool in summer and warm in winter.

5. What tertiary qualifications have you completed? Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Wollongong.

6. What do you like/love most about Leeton? Leeton affords us such an easy, relaxed lifestyle. The activities I have been able to experience in my lifetime, and continue to experience living in the country, enriches my life. Spending school holidays playing endlessly with my cousins on our parents’ farms, building cubby houses, getting into mischief, riding motorbikes and tractors and learning to drive a car on the farm. I love the fact that it takes me 3 minutes to get in my car and drive to work; 3 minutes to any supermarket or shop. I love that our 1 acre block of land was extremely affordable and our boys are able to ride their little motorbikes in their own backyard. I love the sense of a tight-knit community where people are always willing to help out. On a scorching hot 40+ degree day like today, I will love the change dusk brings tonight, when you witness the incredible sunsets and see the array bird-life re-emerging to find water and that breath of cooler air making you believe the heat of the day wasn’t so unbearable. It is a peaceful time. There is something beautiful in the harshness of our landscape. Urban dwellers are often perplexed as to why one would want to live “so far away”. I actually think there is a type of freedom in being a little remote, unbound by the physical constraints and pressures of city living. I enjoy a visit to Sydney and Melbourne, but even more, I love coming home.

7. What are your hobbies/interests outside work? At the moment? Wine, and my children and Netflix. Not always in that order. ;) Love a good winery and/or brewery. Also enjoy having good dig in the dirt, planting a few trees and then watching them grow, perhaps that’s my family’s horticultural background coming out in me. Love swimming and now I have two boys, riding motorbikes.

8. How would you describe yourself as an employee in the workplace? I’d say I’m conscientious and amiable, and I care very much what my colleagues think of me. I always like to do my job well and not leave tasks unattended for other people to pick up.

9. Tell us something interesting (quirky fact) that not many people would know about you. Towels and sheets in my linen cupboard must be folded in a specific manner and aligned perfectly on the shelves. It upsets me if this doesn’t happen.

10. Do you have a funny joke that you would like to share with our staff and councillors? This is your chance to express your sense of humour! Jokes are not my forte. I am terrible at remembering them. I do have a good sense of humour and enjoy a good laugh.

Thanks Kate, for answering all our questions, if you see Kate around, be sure to say hello.