This weekend will mark my last official weekend in Melbourne. Having returned late last evening from Brisbane I immediately got into 'task' mode of packing some items that I have been missing in my new apartment. A good novel, some shoes a few more shirts etc
But today after a few hours sleep and Anna I will be back in the streets to experience what is arguably Australia's best city.
Why is Melbourne so good?
Well I believe you really need to live here to appreciate the city and the richness of culture, sports and lifestyle. For me I would add these highlights:
- Australian Grand Prix
- Australian Open Tennis
- Theatre & Shows
- Mornington Peninsular Wineries
- Yarra Valley Wineries
- Aussie Rules @ the MCG (just an experience)
- Rebels Rugby
- Bars, Tapas and great great food
- Accessibility (the Trams are really a great way to get around)
- Sand Belt Golf Courses (so many to choose from)
I'm sure that I forgot many things that we also enjoyed and I do understand why it rates as one of the best places in the world to live.
We will be going to the Theatre and eating one last time, at some of our favourite haunts.
Actually I should also add; that despite the bad press - the weather in Melbourne is really not that bad and you get used to the 4 seasons in one day.
The new job is really really great and I'm enjoying being back in the saddle again. (I'm enjoying the challenge and also the organisation culture \ the people)
Goodbye to Melbourne and Hello to our new life in Brisbane !
Friday, September 23, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
CIO Credit Union of Australia
I'm excited to announce that I've accepted the role of CIO for Credit Union of Australia. We will be relocating to Brisbane hence there is so much to do..so little time.
More details later......but here is the Press Release
CUA, Australia’s largest customer-owned financial institution, has today announced the appointment of David Gee as Chief Information Officer (CIO). Mr Gee will join CUA on Monday 5 September.
Mr Gee is a highly experienced CIO with an international career spanning a broad range ofindustries and roles featuring strong, transformational change. He joins CUA from KPMG IT Advisory’s Australian practice, where he was Director, consulting to a range of companiesincluding the major banks and corporations. Prior to that David held CIO roles in Eli Lilly, a top 10 global pharmaceutical company, across its US, Japan, China and broader Asian operations over a 15 year period. Mr Gee has significant experience in driving change using both business process re-engineering and with six sigma.
According to CUA’s Chief Executive Officer, Chris Whitehead, Mr Gee’s extensive sector experience with its strong focus on IT-led transformation will be invaluable to CUA as it progresses on its growth strategy.
“We are delighted to announce the appointment of such a high calibre CIO. I am confident that David’s international experience and background in transformational change will bring great perspective to the organisation and ensure we remain focused as we continue to refine
our IT strategy.
“CUA has a number of major IT related projects underway, including the installation of a new core system and the development of our digital strategy. Recently we’ve had great success with the launch of iPhone and Android applications and our Facebook site, and we look forward to David’s passion for innovation in the digital space to progress these initiatives.
“David was the successful candidate from a very strong field of applicants which is testament to our growing profile and the desire of quality candidates, both internal and external, to join us on our exciting journey of growth,” said Mr Whitehead.
Mr Gee said, “The transformation journey that CUA has embarked on aligns closely with my previous experience and is an area in which I find the greatest job satisfaction. Since returning to Australia in 2010 I have been looking for the right opportunity to move back into a corporate CIO role and am genuinely excited about the activities and initiatives taking place at CUA and the opportunities for me to make a meaningful contribution.”
Even Celebrity Chef George thinks I should be leaving KPMG !
More details later......but here is the Press Release
CUA, Australia’s largest customer-owned financial institution, has today announced the appointment of David Gee as Chief Information Officer (CIO). Mr Gee will join CUA on Monday 5 September.
Mr Gee is a highly experienced CIO with an international career spanning a broad range ofindustries and roles featuring strong, transformational change. He joins CUA from KPMG IT Advisory’s Australian practice, where he was Director, consulting to a range of companiesincluding the major banks and corporations. Prior to that David held CIO roles in Eli Lilly, a top 10 global pharmaceutical company, across its US, Japan, China and broader Asian operations over a 15 year period. Mr Gee has significant experience in driving change using both business process re-engineering and with six sigma.
According to CUA’s Chief Executive Officer, Chris Whitehead, Mr Gee’s extensive sector experience with its strong focus on IT-led transformation will be invaluable to CUA as it progresses on its growth strategy.
“We are delighted to announce the appointment of such a high calibre CIO. I am confident that David’s international experience and background in transformational change will bring great perspective to the organisation and ensure we remain focused as we continue to refine
our IT strategy.
“CUA has a number of major IT related projects underway, including the installation of a new core system and the development of our digital strategy. Recently we’ve had great success with the launch of iPhone and Android applications and our Facebook site, and we look forward to David’s passion for innovation in the digital space to progress these initiatives.
“David was the successful candidate from a very strong field of applicants which is testament to our growing profile and the desire of quality candidates, both internal and external, to join us on our exciting journey of growth,” said Mr Whitehead.
Mr Gee said, “The transformation journey that CUA has embarked on aligns closely with my previous experience and is an area in which I find the greatest job satisfaction. Since returning to Australia in 2010 I have been looking for the right opportunity to move back into a corporate CIO role and am genuinely excited about the activities and initiatives taking place at CUA and the opportunities for me to make a meaningful contribution.”
Even Celebrity Chef George thinks I should be leaving KPMG !
Friday, August 19, 2011
This morning....
Just imagine that you are in the Hot Air Balloon over Melbourne. You would be thinking "what a beautiful day it is today...the sun is shining and the weather is just gorgeous"
"I'm so lucky and happy...a great day to be alive"
But the world is full of disturbances both economic, social and political. At the same time there are just appalling images of famine in Africa where the poorest of poor are struggling to just stay alive.
There is so much to be grateful for and we all take everything for granted.
Let me ask all of us to picture ourselves way above it all and that just might help many of us to look beyond our own circumstances.
"I'm so lucky and happy...a great day to be alive"
But the world is full of disturbances both economic, social and political. At the same time there are just appalling images of famine in Africa where the poorest of poor are struggling to just stay alive.
There is so much to be grateful for and we all take everything for granted.
Let me ask all of us to picture ourselves way above it all and that just might help many of us to look beyond our own circumstances.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Borobodur - what you see when you really examine closely....
Borobodur is the largest tourist attraction in Indonesia (a Buddhist Monastry in a Muslim country). It is indeed an incredible structure of Ancient Stupas from the 8th century.
What you see is clearly magnificent and monumental it has detail and is shaped into the form of a Mandala - a Sanskrit word meaning "circle". By definition a Mandala is meant to assist the process of mediation. We found that design to be quite poetic as the journey of circum-navigating Borobodur is in itself a journey and a pilgrimage.
The first time through we appreciate and notice 'shapes and forms'. But it is the return visit that we really start to understand the meaning and story. That was true of our own recent trip and on our return we started to examine the stone reliefs which decorate the sides of Borobodur. Like many things in life there is an important lesson to be learnt if one examines things more closely.
What you see is clearly magnificent and monumental it has detail and is shaped into the form of a Mandala - a Sanskrit word meaning "circle". By definition a Mandala is meant to assist the process of mediation. We found that design to be quite poetic as the journey of circum-navigating Borobodur is in itself a journey and a pilgrimage.
The first time through we appreciate and notice 'shapes and forms'. But it is the return visit that we really start to understand the meaning and story. That was true of our own recent trip and on our return we started to examine the stone reliefs which decorate the sides of Borobodur. Like many things in life there is an important lesson to be learnt if one examines things more closely.
Monday, July 25, 2011
What is 3,430.5 Kilometres or 2,132 miles ?
That's the distance of the Tour de France.
Cadel Evans was the first winner of this race and the reason that I have some bags under my eyes (from the late nights)
Historically he has come his own journey and originally he hailed from Katherine in the Northern Territory. Where I also was born !
What an amazing race of strength and endurance. Regardless if you think in metric or imperial......just imagine how you would feel from sitting so so many kilometres.
These are just incredible athletes and his achievement is just such a feat of strong will after finishing 2nd on two occasions. Very well done Cadel !!
Cadel Evans was the first winner of this race and the reason that I have some bags under my eyes (from the late nights)
Historically he has come his own journey and originally he hailed from Katherine in the Northern Territory. Where I also was born !
What an amazing race of strength and endurance. Regardless if you think in metric or imperial......just imagine how you would feel from sitting so so many kilometres.
These are just incredible athletes and his achievement is just such a feat of strong will after finishing 2nd on two occasions. Very well done Cadel !!
Friday, July 22, 2011
Google +
Google +
I wanted to write a few words about the latest offering from GOOGLE. This is their latest social networking play and I'm really impressed with the clean interface and speed of access. Scoring a invitation a day after it opened; I noticed that this was on sale on eBay for 99 cents through to $17 !
The features of Google + are impressive and I think it is a winner. In particular I like the Circles and the privacy that this provides vs Facebook.
It was a little strange in those first days..when my connections and their content was not in place. Now when I look and see the content (whoa) That's incredible....how quickly there are photos and the number of connections (despite my reluctance to accelerate these)
After downloading their iPhone app which was released a whole week after the launch...it's amazing how quick we expect things to be put in place.
I wanted to write a few words about the latest offering from GOOGLE. This is their latest social networking play and I'm really impressed with the clean interface and speed of access. Scoring a invitation a day after it opened; I noticed that this was on sale on eBay for 99 cents through to $17 !
The features of Google + are impressive and I think it is a winner. In particular I like the Circles and the privacy that this provides vs Facebook.
It was a little strange in those first days..when my connections and their content was not in place. Now when I look and see the content (whoa) That's incredible....how quickly there are photos and the number of connections (despite my reluctance to accelerate these)
After downloading their iPhone app which was released a whole week after the launch...it's amazing how quick we expect things to be put in place.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Lessons from my neighbour.
Over the last 3 days one thing is clear.
[I've learned so much...but realise that I know so little]
His holiness the Dalai Lama has been teaching Shantideva Way of Boddhisattva and along sharing from his endless set of stories of life. There is just so much to learn and the depth is not always easy to comprehend. The message is at the same time simple but complex.
Now I really understand what a blessing means.
He is the most amazing person that I have ever met - the most compassionate and humble individual that I have met. In many ways he defies description.
An amazing individual, but not an individual. He often he calls himself a simple monk but it is clear that he has wisdom that is 'uncommon' and he is knowledgeable and across nearly any subject he brings a sense of humanity; he is always about giving and not receiving.
He is a man that is easy to admire; he is transparent and generous - a real role model. His holiness can talk about any subject and any question does not seem to provide any angst.
The Dalai Lama tells everyone to do their research; he does not want anyone to follow blindly and I'm amazed how much he talks about how every religion shares the same basic principles and that he has great respect for Islam, Hinduism and Christianity.
I'm in awe and feel so inadequate and I just want to learn more......
His holiness has inspired me and I realise that this will be a long journey.
[I've learned so much...but realise that I know so little]
His holiness the Dalai Lama has been teaching Shantideva Way of Boddhisattva and along sharing from his endless set of stories of life. There is just so much to learn and the depth is not always easy to comprehend. The message is at the same time simple but complex.
Now I really understand what a blessing means.
He is the most amazing person that I have ever met - the most compassionate and humble individual that I have met. In many ways he defies description.
An amazing individual, but not an individual. He often he calls himself a simple monk but it is clear that he has wisdom that is 'uncommon' and he is knowledgeable and across nearly any subject he brings a sense of humanity; he is always about giving and not receiving.
He is a man that is easy to admire; he is transparent and generous - a real role model. His holiness can talk about any subject and any question does not seem to provide any angst.
The Dalai Lama tells everyone to do their research; he does not want anyone to follow blindly and I'm amazed how much he talks about how every religion shares the same basic principles and that he has great respect for Islam, Hinduism and Christianity.
I'm in awe and feel so inadequate and I just want to learn more......
His holiness has inspired me and I realise that this will be a long journey.
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