A Day in the Life of Catherine Conciliation Officer
Published 30 January 2023
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Catherine and I am a Conciliation Officer at Anti-Discrimination NSW.
I have a legal background and I started my career as a solicitor. While I loved practising law, I quickly realised this wasn’t the role for me. I eventually moved into investigation and dispute resolution about 13 years ago and have been here ever since.
Prior to commencing my role with ADNSW, I worked within an Ombudsman scheme. The main focus of my role was to assist with the management of a team of Investigations Officers. I provided case management guidance, mentoring and training while also attending to escalated matters and managing stakeholder relationships
I love working with people from all walks of life and assisting others to resolve disputes.
Why did you join Anti-Discrimination NSW?
I joined ADNSW in October 2022. I wanted to continue to utilise and develop my dispute resolution skills within an organisation whose core values and goals I was passionate about. When I saw the advertisement for the Conciliation Officer position, I immediately knew this was the role for me.
I have always had an interest in discrimination law and am passionate about equal rights for all. Having a family member with a disability has allowed me to gain valuable insight into the importance of organisations such as ADNSW. Ensuring people are given an opportunity to voice their concerns in a mutually respectful environment is vital.
Can you describe your role?
As a Conciliation Officer I assist parties to resolve disputes. My role is varied and includes the review/investigation and conciliation of matters that fall within the scope of the Anti-Discrimination Act. Conciliation can take a variety of forms depending on the issues involved and the needs of the parties.
What do you like most about your job?
I like that each day is different and there is so much variety within my role; no two complaints or people are ever the same. I am constantly challenged and always feel like I am learning and growing. I love that I can assist to create an environment that allows parties to see an issue from another’s perspective and that this can ultimately lead to a matter resolving.
What keeps you busy outside of work?
I have two young children who keep me extremely busy.
We are fortunate enough to be part of a wonderful local community, so we love taking part in local sports and activities with friends and family.
I love spending time outdoors and am extremely lucky to live close to some amazing bush walks. I have always loved to run and have more recently taken up trail running. I absolutely love animals and am always looking for another excuse to drag my family away on a farm stay holiday
Last updated:
20 Jun 2024