Celebrating Julie

Celebrating Julie: A Legacy of Dedication and Impact at CRCS

After 33 remarkable years at CRCS, Julie is transitioning into a new phase, leaving behind a legacy of dedication, passion, and positive impact. Her journey with CRCS reflects her unwavering commitment to the community and her colleagues, and her story is one of personal growth, professional excellence, and meaningful relationships.

A Journey of Growth and Evolution

Julie joined CRCS (then known as Belconnen Community Service) in October 1991. Her initial role was as a family day care educator, running a Family Day Care business from her home. This role reflected her strong belief in the importance of family daycare and small-group learning for children.

This position offered her the opportunity to raise her children while providing her family with financial support. Julie created a nurturing environment where her own children and those she cared for developed strong, sibling-like bonds. As her children grew, she adapted her service to meet their needs, highlighting her dedication as a mother and carer to providing a supportive, enriching environment.

In her early days at CRCS, Julie played a crucial role in supporting and setting up family day care networks across the ACT, helping to create affordable and accessible resources for providers. Along with colleagues from across the ACT, she realised family day care educators struggled to afford craft supplies, so together they took the initiative to purchase supplies in bulk and distribute them in smaller, affordable amounts, fostering a sense of community and collaboration.

Collaboration and innovation were central as she worked with Children’s Programs to consolidate policies across CRCS, streamlining and aligning them to create a unified approach to Education and Care.

Embracing Change and Paving the Way to a New CRCS

In 2012, when the Belconnen Family Day Care scheme transitioned to the YWCA, Julie faced a difficult decision: continue with the new company or stay on with CRCS. Ultimately, she chose to remain with CRCS, transitioning into the role of Senior Manager of People and Culture, where she could continue to make a positive impact, focusing on policy development, learning and development, and governance.

This period also marked a significant cultural shift at CRCS, driven by the leadership of Mandy, who transformed the organisational culture into one of openness, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Julie wholeheartedly embraced these changes, contributing to the evolving culture and helping others to do the same.

Julie was known for her straightforward and  honest feedback, particularly in her relationship with Mandy. This openness and directness became a cornerstone of their working relationship, fostering a culture of trust and transparency within the organisation. Mandy valued Julie’s candour, knowing that her insights were always grounded in a deep care for CRCS and its people.

Memorable Achievements and Impact

Throughout her career, Julie made significant contributions to CRCS. Her commitment to continuous improvement and her belief in the power of learning and development drove many initiatives. She was instrumental in transitioning the organisation’s training approach from traditional workshops to an online learning platform, making training more accessible and cost-effective. This modernised the learning experience for CRCS employees, allowing them to continue their professional development more flexibly.

Initially, some employees were hesitant to embrace these new technologies. Understanding their concerns, Julie went above and beyond by travelling to various locations to personally teach basic skills, such as using a mouse. Her patience, persistence, and willingness to meet people where they were, helped ease the transition and ultimately led to positive outcomes. These efforts fostered a culture of adaptability and resilience. Today, CRCS stands as a testament to how far the organisation has come, with employees now grateful for the essential skills Julie took the time to teach them.

Julie also introduced internal auditing processes, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and accountability within the organisation. Her work in these areas has helped CRCS maintain high standards and adapt to changing needs over the years.

The Heart of CRCS: Relationships and Culture

Julie’s career at CRCS has been defined by her relationships with colleagues and the culture she helped cultivate. She credits much of her long tenure to the supportive environment at CRCS and the influence of leaders like Mandy, who transformed the organisational culture. Julie has always believed that the work you do is as important as how you do it. She believes you should always give it your all and find a way to enjoy it in the process. She brought humour, dedication, and a positive attitude to every task, inspiring those around her to do the same.

Julie’s legacy at CRCS is also reflected in the countless stories of children and families whose lives she touched. Whether it’s a child remembering her fondly years later or a colleague who benefited from her mentorship, Julie’s impact is felt across the community.

A New Chapter: Retirement and Continued Involvement

While Julie is stepping back from her permanent role, she has graciously agreed to stay on casually for a period of time, continuing to contribute her expertise and support to CRCS. Her decision reflects her enduring commitment to the organisation and her desire to see it flourish.

As she embraces retirement, Julie looks forward to new adventures and spending quality time with her family, including her grandchildren. Her plans include travelling to Western Australia and enjoying theatre and other cultural experiences.

To her colleagues at CRCS, Julie offers simple yet profound advice: “Do your job to the best of your ability, be open with all communications, and always tell your manager what’s coming up”. Her parting message to current and future employees is a reflection of her own career: “Be a good person, do your best, and embrace the relationships you build along the way”.

Julie’s 33 years at CRCS have been a journey of dedication, innovation, and connection. Her legacy will continue to inspire and guide CRCS as it moves forward, and her impact will be remembered by all who had the privilege to work with her. Julie remains not just a colleague, but a cherished friend and mentor to many.