Meet Di Phillips who recently joined the Board of the Sturt Bowling Club.
Di Phillips is fairly new to the club, having started playing pennants bowls last September, but she is very well known to many club members who worked with her at the ATO, particularly Sonia Matteucci.
The breadth and depth of her work experience is breathtaking and she brings an extraordinary set of skills and knowledge to the Board and the club.
She also has a significant background in volunteering, sporting and recreation activities, community work and family life.
Reading her interview below, a famous adage comes to mind: “If you need a job done, give it to a busy person.”
A very warm welcome to new Board member, Di Phillips.
I understand you worked at the ATO. For how long? What were some of the roles you performed?
I joined the ATO as an accounting graduate in 1989. I only thought I would work there for a few years however I stayed for 36 years, formally retiring in October last year.
I enjoyed the work/life balance the public service provided, made lifelong friendships, met and married my husband, and working for such a large organisation there were numerous opportunities for different roles.
I predominantly worked in client engagement/compliance and investigation roles.
I spent a number of years working in in the Prosecution Investigation Unit, where I met both Marie Wright and Stephen Jones.
I moved to Excise in 2000 shortly after the function was transferred from Customs to the ATO where I managed the Investigation teams in the WASA region, enjoying regular trips to my staff in WA.
It was a very different role from those I had previously held. Our investigations covered illegal tobacco, illicit stills, and fuel substitution, as well as the more familiar financial type frauds.
I learnt a hell of a lot about these areas, and gained the power to arrest suspects, seize goods and execute search warrants. They were exciting, albeit challenging times.
In late 2002 I moved to GST as an Audit Leader, which is where I met Sonia Matteucci who I ended up working with for many years.
I specialised in Systems based audits and Governance reviews of small to medium businesses.
My last role in the ATO was as a Director in Public Groups managing GST and Governance reviews of Top 100 and Top 1000 entities.
Throughout my career, I enjoyed visiting different business enterprises to see how they operated on a day-to-day basis.
I also took on OHS and Harassment Contact officers roles which have always been a particular interest.
Did your ATO work involve travel? Wider experiences?
In my job with the ATO, I travelled across mainland Australia for audit trips and meetings.
As SA was responsible for compliance activities in the NT, I travelled quite regularly to Darwin.
As we usually travelled for two or three weeks at a time, I was fortunate to be able to explore the regions with my colleagues.
On various trips with Marie Wright, we explored Katherine, Kakadu, Litchfield and surrounds.
I also travelled with Sonia Matteucci and Stephen Jones on different trips to the region, and with John Panozzo on a trip to Alice Springs.
Did you work elsewhere previously, including as a volunteer?
I had a casual job in the Office at Westminster School whilst at uni and held the role of Treasurer at Hawthorn Uniting Church for over 20 years.
I took on various volunteer roles at my children’s school, helping out in the classroom, a role as a Parent Class coordinator, helping with the weekly lunch program and managing sports teams including a role on the Pedal Prix committee and as a Team Manager.
I now work on Fridays as a volunteer at the RSPCA Op Shop at Unley.
I understand you have a Masters in Taxation. Did this specialising allow you to enjoy your work more?
I continued my studies whilst at the ATO, completing the CPA program and then a Masters in Taxation Law through UNSW.
I have always wanted to continue to learn and challenge myself. It was very helpful to have accounting, legal interpretation and technical skills and this led to opportunities in senior compliance roles.
Sonia Matteucci says you were very thorough at work. Was this a conscious aim?
I conducted many complex investigations and audits. I was always very thorough and meticulous, undertaking large audits and investigations spanning a number of years.
Which other members of SBC did you know or work with at the ATO?
I met and worked with a number of other Sturt members including Rod Ettridge, Mike Spinelli, Paul Teesdale and Marty Fry. It is lovely to have reconnected with them at the Club.
Sonia says you were a great team member. Was this a deliberate approach?
Sonia and I worked in the same team for 17 years. Our team were my work family, having common goals to work together to support each other in undertaking our work, as well as developing close lifelong friendships.
In my later role as a Director in Public Groups my focus was on how I could best support my staff to meet expectations, whilst ensuring their wellbeing.
Sonia says you played social volleyball while working. How did you find it? Did or do you have other sporting interests?
I have always loved playing team sports, including tennis, hockey, netball and volleyball. I was involved as a member of the Management Committee of one of the hockey clubs I played for.
I also played a bit of golf prior to having my two kids, and have recently had lessons with my daughter, with the hope that I’ll get back in to playing regularly.
I go to the gym most days and have really got into their yoga and Zumba classes.
Sonia says your interest in bowls began when she invited you to a 'Come and Try' event at SBC. Is this the case? Before this event, did you ever play lawn bowls e.g. Night Owls?
My prior bowls experience was limited to a couple of ATO bowls days many moons ago and a couple of end of year team Christmas functions at Adelaide Bowling Club.
I always had great fun - I may have indulged in a beverage or two - and was very excited when Sonia invited me along last year to "Come and Try Bowls" at Sturt.
I understand you commenced playing pennants last September/October. What did you enjoy about playing for SBC last season?
I was very nervous prior to my first pennants game. I was so fortunate to be put in a team with the amazingly patient and helpful Michelle Kirby as our captain and fellow newbies, Marie Wright and Patsy Dixon were wonderful teammates.
All the ladies and coaching team were so friendly and supportive and certainly made the experience very enjoyable.
Based on the photos of you last season, you have quickly developed a good delivery action. Have you found it easy to develop this action?
We are so lucky to have Peter Hughes, Alan Catterall and NoalMullins as our ladies’ coaches. I have learnt so much from them.
I do try to implement all that I learn and have to laugh at the number of times I have caused a bit of concern preparing for my shot prior to standing on the mat - following Peter’s advice. I still feel like I have so much to learn.
What have you liked about the club since you joined?
The people are all amazing. It is a friendly supportive community which has welcomed me with open arms.
I am also amazed at how so many give of their time to support the club and our members. I hope they realise how much we all appreciate them.
Given your background experiences at work and in sport, what do you look forward to doing on the SBC Board?
I am looking forward to my new role on the Board.
It is an interesting time with the building redevelopment and how we can ensure our member experience is not impacted. Sturt’s sense of community has been, and continues to be a focus.
I bring significant experience across governance, financial and systems controls, as well as a focus on the wellbeing of our members, including ensuring a safe workplace for our volunteers and paid staff.
Paul Teesdale says you have lived locally for a long time. Is this the case?
I have a long association with Unley living on Highgate Street and attending Highgate Primary School , before moving to Marion near Westminster where my father worked and I went to high school.
In 2000 I moved back to Myrtle Bank with my husband and have lived there since.
My two children attended St Johns/Concordia where I was fortunate to have met the lovely Bruce Williams and his family.
Are there some other personal aspects you can share, eg family, hobbies, pastimes, music?
I have two children who still live at home.
My son creates and edits videos/social media content, and my daughter is in her third year studying to be a secondary teacher. They have both grown up to be kind and thoughtful young adults, and are my greatest achievement.
My husband Gary is still working as a Senior Prosecutor. Last August he took up a 12-month position in Darwin with the NT DPP.
The past 12 months have been busy and I’ve spent a lot of time in the garden, creating a large veggie patch and flower garden.
I used to play the piano and have recently bought a guitar and intend to do a course at WEA.
I also enjoy painting, particularly landscapes. I just need to find more time in the day.
No idea how I ever had time to work full-time.