6.00 AM

The birds wake me up before my alarm clock does — it’s time to get ready for my day, have a little breakfast and pack my lunch.

7.00 AM

I walk down to the bus stop for my quiet 25-minute bus ride through farmland to work. They don’t call it the bush capitol for nothing!

7.45 AM

After a leisurely stroll from the bus stop to the office, I put my packed lunch in the fridge for later and make myself a coffee to start the day.

I enjoy getting in early as it gives me a chance to settle in for the day. Plus, the earlier you get in, the better chance you have of getting your favourite desk.

Today, I am successful! I snagged my favourite of all the standing desks — it’s in a corner for semi-privacy during a Teams meeting, but it’s also by a window so I can rest my eyes and look outside for a moment.

8.00 AM

Once my desk is set up, I start my day off my looking at my calendar and to do list, and checking my messages.

A couple of days ago, I had a meeting for this week’s presentation at LaunchPAD — a graduate run program within the ANAO where we present on what we’ve learned and impart handy tips to our fellow graduates (snacks are also involved). For the last two months, myself and two other grads have taken over from the previous cohort, so I have a few messages from my fellow LaunchPAD team mates to respond to.

8.30 AM

I have recently begun work on a new audit, and my new team meets every morning to discuss where we are up to and if there are any issues that we have to address. I take this half hour to prepare for the meeting and gather some talking points to go along with my update.

9.00 AM

It’s team meeting time! My audit manager will review my completed work today, while I start on the new tasks I’ve been given to complete for the planning phase of the audit. These tasks should to me through to lunch.

10.00 AM

After working through the first of my tasks for today it is time for a tea break in the kitchen! I find some of my colleagues and we have a quick chat about our plans for the upcoming holiday season.

11.00 AM

A message from my LaunchPAD teammates! I have prepared some slides for tomorrow’s presentation and was waiting on their content. I agree to have the final slides for ready for review by 1:30pm.

12.00 PM

I have finished my given tasks and have a chat with my audit manager about the next bit of research he wants done for the audit.

At the ANAO you get a chance to work different audit managers. I have found this to be most valuable since it allows you to learn from many experienced people and develop your skills.

12.30 PM

Time for lunch! The kitchen is the most social place in the office and great for a quick catch up with colleagues. Today’s discussion is the best beaches for the holidays and why McDonalds no longer sells Diet Coke. Incidentally, the kitchen also affords us a great view of Parliament House.

1.00 PM

I am back at my desk and putting the finishing touches on the LaunchPAD presentation slides. This will be our last one for the year, so we are going with a “wrapped” theme. I send it off for to my teammates for review and get back to my research.

2.00 PM

It is time for a visit to the social club snack bar, where you can purchase snacks and drinks. The funds go towards social club activities that are held throughout the year. Today I am treating myself to an ice-cold Coke no sugar.

2.05 PM

I am back at my desk and see approval messages from my LaunchPAD teammates. We are prepared and ready for tomorrow.

3.45 PM

As I approach the end of my workday, I begin to wrap up my research notes and write a to do list for tomorrow when I get in. I do a last check for messages and notifications that I need to attend to and tidy up.

As I prepare to leave, I catch up with two fellow graduates and invite them to attend tomorrow’s presentation, which promises to be a great way to reflect on the year we have had. Also, since it’s the last LaunchPAD for the year, I’ll be baking brownies as a special treat.

4.00 PM

I have now finished for the day and put my laptop away in my locker. The weather is simply beautiful this afternoon! The sun is shining but it’s not too warm, so I decide to walk to nearby Manuka for brownie ingredients—and to treat myself to dinner at one of the restaurants there.

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