About PEO Staff
The Parliamentary Education Office (PEO) is a large, busy office in Parliament House, Canberra:
Administration
Simon
Director
Before assuming his duties as the Director of the PEO in Jan 2010, Simon worked for over 24 years as a senior legal officer and educator in Defence. His duties during his Defence service included leading several Defence educational organisations, mentoring staff college students and the provision of education services, including experiential training, to all ranks of the Defence force. He derives great satisfaction from leading a talented and enthusiastic team of professionals in educating students and teachers in parliamentary matters.
John
Education Manager
John joined the PEO as an educator in 2002 after many years in performing arts education, set design and theatre production. This background was a perfect match for the work of the PEO where there is a strong belief in finding new, exciting and dynamic ways to turn the work of the Parliament into a meaningful experience for students of all ages. John has developed new resources for the Education Centre, travelled Australia delivering programs and established the PEO video production unit. Currently he is responsible for the management of the very creative and skilful PEO education team and the programs they deliver in the Education Centre.
Jodie
Office Manager
Jodie joined the PEO in 1998, fulfilling a long held ambition to work at Parliament House. Jodie looks after the day to day finance, travel and administrative matters of the office and enjoys taking calls from the many students and teachers around Australia who need help with homework or teaching about Parliament. Jodie loves working in the PEO and lists some of her highlights as the Parliament of Wizards production, meeting Gough Whitlam at the Separation of Powers Forum and the launch of the online video project. She thinks there's no better place to work!
Judy
Education Centre Coordinator
Judy is responsible for coordinating the PEO's education programs, scheduling the role-play timetable and looking after the general needs of the office. Her background includes administration and financial services and she is thrilled to be able to put these skills into practice for the PEO. Judy loves working with students and enjoys the friendly and fun experience of the PEO. She is also passionate about AFL and any activity or sports involving her community.
Project Managers
Alison
Project Manager
Alison joined the PEO in May 2010 and has been inspired by the level of interest and knowledge that visiting students bring to Parliament. Prior to joining the PEO, Alison worked at the Museum of Australian Democracy (Old Parliament House), the National Museum of Australia and as a youth worker. Alison describes the best part of her job as the 'a-ha moment'; when students eyes light up as they make a meaningful connection between the workings of parliament and their own experiences.
Ruth
Project Manager
Before joining the PEO in 2008, Ruth worked as an educator at the National Film and Sound Archive and as a researcher and writer for AustralianScreen, an educational website. Ruth has also worked in the public broadcasting sector as a trainer, producer and presenter. She loves the challenge of making Parliament accessible to school students and showing them just how fascinating Parliament can be. A highlight has been her involvement in Get Parliament, a resource which explains how Parliament works.
Publishing Team
Wendy
Publishing Manager
Wendy became Publishing Manager at the PEO in 2011 and brings with her extensive experience in graphic design, web development and project management. She is passionate about design and modern technology and feels lucky to be involved in the educational projects and programs at the PEO. Wendy loves coming to Parliament House each day to work in a 'tourist attraction' and is thrilled to be in an office filled with such enthusiastic and knowledgeable people.
Diana
Publishing Officer
Diana joined the Publications team at the PEO in 2011 after a number of years working as a designer in the private sector in Melbourne, and more recently in Canberra. With a Fine Arts background Diana enjoys painting and drawing, and as a result has a hands-on approach to design. Diana is excited to be part of such a diverse, passionate and interesting team. When she's not formatting type or designing a layout Diana loves hunting for a vintage bargain, the occasional run with the kangaroos on Mount Ainslie or painting.
Terry
Web Developer
Terry is an accomplished web developer whose experience spans over a decade. He has extensive knowledge in web accessibility, usability and government standards as well as significant expertise in web design and markup languages. Terry has produced numerous Government websites, templates and annual reports and has collaborated with Vision Australia to maximise accessibility and usability. Terry likes the atmosphere of working at the Parliament and is looking forward to introducing cutting-edge technology to the PEO's website.
Parliamentary Educators
Anne
Parliamentary Educator
Anne worked in legal drafting and as a primary school teacher before joining the PEO in 2002. Anne has worked with many programs and has helped to create a variety of parliamentary resources, with highlights including Talkback Classroom and Parliament of Wizards. She loves engaging with students and teachers in the PEO's Education Centre and on outreach programs and also helping teachers who want to discover new ways to teach about Parliament. Anne enjoys the fun and momentum of working with such a professional team and being in the 'thick of the action' at Parliament House, especially when important national issues are on the agenda.
Simon
Parliamentary Educator
Simon joined the PEO in 2008 after working as an adult educator in the community recreation sector in Western Australia and as a primary school teacher. Simon feels exhilarated every day driving to the big house on the hill and having the opportunity to observe parliament in action. In the outside world, Simon enjoys playing basketball and paddling outrigger canoes and hopes to one day compete in the Hamilton Island Outrigger Canoe Marathon.
Jason
Parliamentary Educator
Working at Parliament House as an educator is a real buzz for Jason. He has worked with youth for many years as a secondary teacher in Queensland and the UK and in a variety of roles with marginalised youth. He has also worked on youth and education policy and programs for the government and non-government sectors. A passionate advocate of social justice, Jason considers Parliament House the perfect place to 'raise your voice and be heard'. He hopes to encourage young people to get involved and make a difference.
Suzanne
Parliamentary Educator
Suzanne loves working for the PEO. She enjoys meeting teachers and students from all over Australia and assisting them to learn about the work of the federal Parliament through role play. Before coming to the PEO in 2007, Suzanne worked as an adult educator in the community sector and as a primary school teacher and education officer in the public sector. She's an active member of Toastmasters International and enjoys yoga, swimming, travelling and family gatherings.
Andrew
Parliamentary Educator
Since 2003 Andrew has been teaching, travelling and producing resources for the PEO. Andrew has been a teacher of English, ESL, Media and Music and still works in local schools in Canberra. One of Andrew's favourite projects was working on many of the games featured in Kidsview. He feels very fortunate working in Australia's Parliament House and enjoys helping students from all around Australia understand how the Parliament works.
Casual Parliamentary Educators
Alison
Casual Parliamentary Educator
Alison has loved working in the PEO since she started in May 2009. Initially trained as a geologist, Alison subsequently worked for two major mineral exploration companies. Her love of people and learning led her to study teaching at the University of Cambridge England. Since then, she has put her training to good use as a science teacher and TAFE course coordinator. Being an educator in the PEO, she particularly enjoys leading the fun, interesting and interactive parliamentary role-play sessions.
Leilah
Casual Parliamentary Educator
Every new day in the Parliamentary Education Office is exciting for Leilah, who loves meeting students from all over Australia. Leilah first began working at Parliament House as a guide in 2004 while completing her studies in Political Science and Education. Now, in addition to running role-plays, Leilah works part-time at a local high school, teaching English and Studies of Society and Environment. Leilah is passionate about helping young people understand the world around them, especially how the Australian Parliament works.
Stephen
Casual Parliamentary Educator
Stephen joined the PEO in 2009 having worked in adult rural education for many years, initially as a farm advisor and later as an Agricultural College lecturer. He also participates on stage in amateur theatre, and the skills learnt there prove ideal in organising the Parliamentary role play students. Stephen finds every class at Parliament House rewarding and stimulating. He also works as an education volunteer at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra and this produces some interesting reactions when students meet him at both venues!