About PEO Staff
The Parliamentary Education Office (PEO) is a large, busy office in Parliament House, Canberra:
PEO Organisational Chart
ADMINISTRATION
Chris
Director
Before taking up the position of PEO director in January 2005, Chris worked in universities and in education management. Chris most enjoys working with professionals who love their job and playing his part in creating an office that is the best parliamentary education outfit in the world. Chris also enjoys analysing sports statistics and eating.
John
Education Manager
Before John joined the PEO in 2002 he worked in theatre, film, TV education, set design and production management. Since joining the PEO, John has helped secondary students engage with Australia’s political leaders through Talkback Classroom and TAFE students to understand the processes of Parliament through the TAFE Program. John’s current responsibilities include establishing a video production unit for the PEO. He enjoys being part of a dynamic team that constantly searches for creative ways to bring understanding to an extremely important subject.
Jodie
Office Manager
Jodie joined the PEO in 1998 after working in retail and then hospitality. Jodie is responsible for finance, files, answering enquiries, administration, travel, bills, and just about anything else required to manage a busy office! Jodie's most memorable times in the PEO have been the launch of Cockatoo Island and the production of Unravelling the Parliamentary Role-play. Jodie loves working in the PEO—she calls it 'a little pocket of craziness in the middle of a great big building of seriousness'.
Judy
Education Centre Coordinator
Before joining the PEO in 2007, Judy provided administration and financial services for a number of small businesses around Canberra. Judy is now responsible for coordinating the PEO's role-play timetable and supporting the general needs of the office and its education programs. Judy loves working with children and enjoys the friendly and fun experience of the PEO. She is also passionate about AFL and any activity or sports involving the kids.
PROJECT MANAGERS
Roberta
Project Manager
Roberta joined the PEO in 2007 after working as a teacher, youth support worker and event coordinator in Australia, Indonesia and the United Kingdom. She continues to satisfy her hunger for information through post graduate studies in international relations. Throughout 2007 Roberta worked with the PEO as a Parliamentary Educator, teaching in the education centre and contributing to communications projects, before becoming a Project Manager. She is currently working on PEO liaison with MPs, the development of Quirky & Quizzical and the management of a broad portfolio of conferences and programs. Roberta feels privileged to have access to the challenges and inspiration provided by the Parliament and its people, fulfilling her creative, investigative and analytical drive.
Paula
Project Manager (video production)
Paula joined the PEO in 2007 as Publishing Manager and recently moved to the position of Project Manager (video production). Previously, Paula worked in communications, publishing, public affairs and arts management and is continuing her studies in multimedia and media production. Paula feels privileged to work for the highly creative and dynamic PEO team and looks forward to working on upcoming projects such as the video production unit for the PEO. She also likes hiding behind hedges and talking about film and TV 'til the cows come home.
Julie
Project Manager
Julie joined the PEO in 1999 after working in diverse primary schools around Australia. In recent years Julie has been responsible for the content of a wide variety of PEO publications such as Peeling back Parliament, Unravelling the Parliamentary Role-play, Parliament of Wizards, House at Work, Kidsview and the new look PEO website. Julie enjoys many things about working in the PEO—the excellent people, the capacity to follow through on ideas with a strong creative drive and the charter to make difficult concepts relevant and meaningful.
PUBLISHING TEAM
Phil
Publishing Manager
Phil joined the PEO as Publishing Manager in 2008. As well as working in the print publishing industry in Canberra for over 22 years, Phil is also an award winning web developer who has won numerous awards for various Australian Government departments including Foreign Affairs and Trade, Family and Community Services and the National Museum of Australia. When Phil isn't working, he's a keen musician and art fan who loves travelling.
Katie
Publishing Project Manager
Katie's background is in art, graphic design and web development. She joined the PEO in 2003 and led the ever expanding Publishing Team until mid 2007. Her most memorable projects were project managing and designing the new (2007) PEO website, design and photography for Peeling back Parliament and Parliament of Wizards . Katie has recently returned to the PEO on a part time basis after maternity leave, and is currently working on new publishing initiatives. Outside of work, Katie is an avid photographer with a robust internet addiction.
Joe
Publishing Developer
Joe joined the PEO in late 2007 after working as a Publishing Officer in the Parliamentary Library. His work background includes positions in publishing and printing and he has also completed studies in digital media design. Among his many publishing duties, Joe is responsible for maintaining the PEO website and is currently designing a number of print resources for the PEO. Joe feels fortunate to work at Australia's Parliament House and hopes to pursue his interest in digital media through the PEO's new video production unit.
Wendy
Publishing Officer
Wendy joined the PEO in mid 2008 after working as a graphic designer in a small studio. She has a degree in graphic design and is currently studying IT Web Development. Wendy is responsible for maintaining the PEO website and supporting PEO services with her graphic design skills. She is excited about being a part of the PEO and enjoys the enthusiasm and knowledge of the team.
PARLIAMENTARY EDUCATORS
Andrew
Parliamentary Educator
Before Andrew joined the PEO in 2003 he worked as a secondary teacher of English, media, music and English as a Second Language. Andrew’s major projects have included working on the Kidsview website and the University Program. His highlights in the PEO have been recording voices for Kidsview and working in small country schools. Andrew likes working in Australia’s Parliament House and enjoys the challenge of making the Parliament accessible to everyone.
Anne
Parliamentary Educator
Anne worked in legal drafting and as a primary teacher before joining the PEO in 2002. Anne is responsible for co-ordinating Talkback Classroom and also works on the PEO Fellowships and Pathways to Parliament teams. Her highlights include working with students and guests on Talkback Classroom and working with enthusiastic teachers who want to discover new ways to teach about the Parliament. Anne enjoys having a fun and professionally rewarding working life with her PEO colleagues and being in the 'thick of the action' at Parliament House—especially when important national issues are on the agenda.
Ruth
Parliamentary Educator
Before joining the PEO, Ruth worked as an educator at the National Film and Sound Archive and a researcher and writer for AustralianScreen, an educational website. Ruth has worked in the public broadcasting sector as a trainer, and as a producer and presenter on programs that were networked nationally to community radio stations. She is excited about being part of the vibrant and creative team at the PEO and the challenge of not only making Parliament accessible to school students but communicating that Parliament is a fascinating place.
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. He is involved in the Moving Images and Parliament Alive projects. Simon feels exhilarated everyday driving to the big house on the hill. In the outside world, Simon enjoys playing basketball, paddling outrigger canoes and hopes to one day compete in the Hamilton Island Outrigger Canoe Marathon.
CASUAL PARLIAMENTARY EDUCATORS
Suzanne
Casual Parliamentary Educator
Suzanne joined the PEO in 2007 and has worked as a primary school educator specialising in special education and as an adult educator in the community sector. Suzanne has enjoyed getting to know her colleagues at the PEO and learning about the diverse projects run by the office. She is currently assisting the team with promotional material and looks forward to working on future projects. Suzanne enjoys meeting teachers and students from all over Australia and helping them learn more about the workings of the Parliament. She thinks that working at Parliament House and being involved with the PEO is fantastic.
Susan
Casual Parliamentary Educator
Susan joined the PEO in 2008 after teaching SOSE, English, ICT and Library in secondary schools. Susan finds the PEO exciting as she meets great teachers and students eager to learn more about Parliament. Working in Parliament House is a constant learning experience as there is so much more to discover about the workings of Parliament. The PEO is always buzzing with energy and is a dynamic workplace, where creative programs are developed to enthuse and engage students about Parliament. Susan is currently creating web-based lessons for secondary students.
Sharna
Casual Parliamentary Educator
Sharna joined the PEO in 2008 after working in electoral education, primary teaching, administration and marketing. Since joining the PEO as a parliamentary educator Sharna is thoroughly enjoying every aspect of her new role, including being part of MP liaison work and other exciting programs. Sharna loves working in Parliament House—where else can you just pop in to watch Question Time after lunch? It's fantastic!
Jan
Casual Parliamentary Educator
Jan joined the PEO in 2001 after teaching in primary and secondary schools and lecturing in TAFE colleges. Her responsibilities in the PEO include co-ordinating the University Program and A Little Lunch Sitting. Jan also contributes to the Pre-service Teacher Program and Pathways to Parliament teams. Some of Jan's most memorable experiences to date include working with English as a Second Language students and visiting schools in remote areas. Jan enjoys the varied nature of PEO work, the students she meets every day, the freedom to explore new projects, the team work and being 'on the spot'.
Camilla
Casual Parliamentary Educator
Camilla joined the PEO in 1996 after teaching in secondary schools and at the tertiary level in the UK and Australia. Camilla also works in professional theatre as an actor and director. Camilla is the TAFE Program coordinator and also works on the PEO Fellowships team. Her most memorable projects include visiting indigenous communities in the Pilbara and the Kimberley. Camilla is inspired by the energy and a desire to learn demonstrated by mature adults returning to education. She enjoys the face-to-face nature of PEO programs, the creativity of the PEO office, the activity of the building and the task of educating people about how the Parliament works.