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Eden Platell works as the Executive Manager for Communications and Membership of the Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) Queensland and her husband Jim is a Dairy Farmer. The High School sweethearts (pictured) have been married for just over a year and live in Tamrookum, 25 kilometres south of Beaudesert in Queensland.
Eden Platell may have found the perfect work-life balance, dividing her time between a career in the city and an ideal lifestyle with husband Jim on the farm.
Recently career girl and farm hand Eden, agreed to participate in some Q & A for Australian Women Online.
1. How were you able to organise to be able to tele-commute (work from home) on certain days:
One of the great things about working at IPAA Queensland is the flexibility. Lots of our staff have arrangements that suit them and their lifestyles. Working from home saves me 5 hours travel time and let’s me catch up on ‘real’ work after I spend most of my time in the city in meetings.
2. Why did you apply for a job with IPAA:
I was working in local government on a contract and was looking for something in the public sector because it’s such a great flexible place to work. Then I saw an ad for a job with IPAA Queensland, a non-profit professional association that served all levels of the public sector and I thought it would be great to be able to work across all of the public sector so I went for it.
3. Why do you love your job:
The culture at IPAA Queensland is amazing, people can’t believe the stories I tell about my workplace where people are truly valued and can work their job around their life rather than the other way around. I’m also passionate about the public sector and love working with people in the sector who are doing amazing things for people and communities.
4. Why do you love living on a farm:
I think it’s the perfect balance working a few days in the city and having the hustle and bustle but then being able to retreat to peacefulness of the farm. There are some stunning views on my drive home and it makes me so thankful for the beautiful place that I live.
5. Have you always lived on a farm:
No, I grew up on Tamborine Mountain though which is still a far cry from city life. I moved to the farm when I finished university in 2004.
6. How did you and your husband meet: We went to the same high school and have been together since grade 11. We got engaged on our 5 year anniversary and married on our 6 year anniversary.
7. How supportive is your husband of your career with IPAA:
My husband always knew it would be hard for me to get a marketing job in the country so knew I would probably have to work in the city. It was hard for the first year but once I started working from home a couple of days a week it made the balance a lot easier and he’s happy because he actually gets to see me more.
8. Would you ever move into the CBD: It would be a bit hard to pack up all of our cows and move to the city! My husband is a through and through farmer working on the family farm so we would never consider giving it all away to move to the city. I don’t think I could live in a city for long anyway, I like my space!
9. How would you describe yourself in 5 words:
determined, passionate, strong, giving & sentimental
10. What does your role in IPAA as a Councillor with the PRIA entail:
At IPAA Queensland I head up all of our marketing & public relations as well as membership. It’s a great role that let’s me use my qualifications in communications to grow our brand, reputation and membership. As a PRIA Queensland Councillor I sit on the membership committee, helping devise strategies to grow PRIA membership much like I do at IPAA Queensland.
11. What are some interesting facts about you:
I am an antique buff who spends most weekends at auctions and farm clearing sales looking to pick up a bargain. I also have an interest in interior styling and could discuss textiles and paint colours until the cows come home (literally).
12. What is your favourite animal:
Funnily enough it’s the cow! My mum always jokes that she should have known I’d marry a dairy farmer because I’ve always loved cows – they all have their own personality.