Maddie’s Career: A Journey of Growth

Madeline Giles-Lindsay (Maddie) recently stepped into her new role as Safety & Wellbeing Advisor at Resthaven, and the transition has been smoother than she anticipated. ‘It’s been a surprisingly easy transition,’ she reflects, crediting the team for being ‘really welcoming and eager to share their knowledge.’

However, she acknowledges that shifting from recruitment to Work Health and Safety (WHS) has brought its challenges. ‘It’s a very steep learning curve,’ Maddie admits, given that recruitment and WHS are two very different fields.

One of the more noticeable changes in her new position has been moving away from the typical office environment. Now, she finds herself travelling between different sites, which has added a new dimension to her role. ‘It’s a lot less email and a lot more in-person interactions,’ she says.

For Maddie, this has been an eye-opener, allowing her to see firsthand the work she once only knew from a distance. ‘It’s really different, talking with people you wouldn’t normally see on a day-to-day basis.’

Despite these challenges, Maddie is drawing on the strong relationships she built during her time in recruitment. Her connections with site management and staff have proven invaluable as she navigates the demands of WHS. ‘It’s just a different type of relationship, but still with the same people,’ she notes.

These relationships have allowed her to ease into her new role and better understand the preferences and work styles of her colleagues across different locations.

Maddie’s journey at Resthaven is a testament to the organisation’s commitment to career development.

Starting as a temporary administrator on a two-week contract, she quickly advanced to roles such as Coordinator, Business Partner, and Senior Business Partner. ‘In the three years I’ve been here, I’ve had a lot of different roles and a lot of opportunity for personal and professional growth,’ she says.

Resthaven has supported her throughout this journey, enabling her to complete a Diploma of HR Management. She is now preparing to undertake a Certificate IV in WHS and will soon embark on a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources (HR).

Much of Maddie’s success can be attributed to the mentorship she’s received from leaders within Resthaven, particularly Sylvia Powell, Executive Manager of People and Culture.

‘Sylvia’s always open for a conversation and has been a real driving force behind my career growth,’ Maddie shares. This open communication has been vital in helping her navigate her career path.

For others looking to advance, Maddie emphasises the importance of having ‘open and genuine conversations’ with their managers, saying, ‘Managers at Resthaven really want to see their staff grow.’

Maddie’s story showcases the opportunities available at Resthaven for those willing to embrace new challenges and seek out growth. With the right support and an openness to learning, career development at Resthaven is not just possible but actively encouraged.

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