Ashley - Maintenance Management Systems
Ashley is achieving for his community and career - and at Redland City Council, you can, too
Do you wake on a Monday morning feeling energised about the week ahead? Ashley does! Our Technical Officer says there’s not been a day at Redland City Council when he hasn’t wanted to work. From casual labourer to supervisor, Ashley is a true success story. His motivation? To give back to his community.
Determined to succeed
Ashley was 30 years old when he realised he was ready for a change. His service station job had extended beyond its initial purpose to fund his university studies. After 15 years, this mad-keen Manly Warringah Sea Eagles fan decided it was time to tackle his future head-on.
“I got on a trades and labour project with Redland City Council as a casual. I saw it as a great way to get my foot in the door. So, I put the hard work in from the start.”
Six months later, in 2017, Ashley landed a full-time position as a labourer. He took on any task thrown his way – including cleaning catch pits in Redland City’s drainage system!
“It was my goal to have a good career at Council. I raised my hand for pretty much any job, and that’s got me to where I am now.”
Today, Ashley is our Technical Officer - Maintenance Management Systems. He and his team maintain Redland City’s SQUIDs (stormwater quality improvement devices) to prevent pollutants from entering the stormwater drainage system. Ashley also oversees Redland City’s street-sweeping contract - no small feat!
“I enjoy giving back to the community. The other day, an elderly gentleman called me about a fallen tree. It had broken his fence and the bioretention basin (a stormwater filtration system) that backed onto his property. I told him I’d get it fixed in a couple of days, and that made his day - he thought he’d be waiting weeks. These things make a big difference to people.”
Rising to the challenge
Going from “on the tools” to management roles can be challenging, but Ashley’s been supported with our Mates to Manager program.
“Mates to Manager helped me big time. It gave me techniques for communicating with staff and how to stay calm and collected. One thing I pride myself on is my relationship with my peers. They mean everything to me, and I want them to feel supported.”
Ashley has taken on several secondments, including supervisor in Bitumen and Signs and Senior Technical Officer in Marine Infrastructure.
“I’m just about to finish my Certificate III in Civil Construction, which Council funded. I’m hoping to get my Certificate in Horticulture, too. Council always gives you opportunities - it’s up to the individual to grab them.”
A better balance
When Ashley says he’s a Manly Warringah Sea Eagles fanatic, he means it! His passion for the rugby league team began as a four-year-old.
“I never miss a game. I even had to make sure Manly wasn’t playing on my wedding day!”
With every step forward in his career, Ashley’s wife and two daughters are always at the front of his mind - and they’re delighted to see the positive change in Ashley at RCC.
“Not a day I don’t want to go to work. It’s really improved my mental health. Even my wife says, ‘You’re so much happier now.’ That means a lot.”