A highlight of the annual AfMA Fleet Conference is celebrating the achievements of the students that have completed the AfMA and Swinburne Diploma of Leadership and Management. Through their participation in the diploma program, they have acquired the skills, knowledge, and confidence to become transformative leaders in the fleet industry.
Aleta Gunn, Fleet Coordinator at City of Adelaide, was one of the graduates this year and she spoke to the audience on the opening day of the conference to share her experiences while completing the course.
”So I recently took a position at The City of Adelaide as the Fleet Coordinator after spending nearly four years with United communities who were encouraging me to do this diploma,” said Gunn in here introduction.
She started by referring to a Richard Branson quote that says, “if someone offers you an amazing opportunity, but you’re not sure you can do it, say yes. Then learn how to do it later,” which gave the impression that Gunn wasn’t planning to study part time until the idea was suggested over a cup of coffee with her boss.
Gunn described the challenge of balancing work, family and study as a roller coaster with lots of ups and down.
“Moments of intensity, short lulls, which were just enough to put you into a false sense of security. That rush of adrenaline that I know my fellow graduates felt when getting to the finish line,” said Gunn.
“The year was quite a blurr, a mix of intense assignments while still doing your paid job and trying to have a life. But the irony, through all the whirlwind of everything, there was this underlying sense of clarity, and actual surety, of feeling in a space and in an industry that actually felt like a perfect fit. In other words, I think I worked out what I’m gonna do when I grow up.”
“So for the 2023 alumni to come, and for future Swinburne students, I tell you this, do not underestimate how much work there is. Do not let the assignments snowball and find you have more than one that are due at the same time as end of financial year. Do realise your worth and embrace any skills that are either learned or honed during this process. Do make sure you’d have some laughs along the way. And most importantly, do take the opportunity. You never know where it will lead you.”
This year’s graduates include:
- Jessy Davis, Fleet Officer, Department of Planning and Environment
- Michael Pritchard, Fleet Coordinator, Samaritans Foundation
- Martin Bennie, Operations Manager, Autorola
- Malik Sufian, Assist Operations Manager, Carly Car Subscription
- Breehan Allen, Business Development Executive, Summit Fleet Leasing & Management
- Daniel Kent, Senior Relationship Executive, Summit Fleet Leasing & Management
- Aleta Gunn, Fleet Coordinator, City of Adelaide
- Alice Hutomo Wibowo, Relationship Manager, Custom Fleet
- Trent Murray, Senior Logistics Officer, Parks Victoria
- Jordan Freeman, Service Technician, Vehicle Access Solutions
- Simon Whitrod, Diesel Mechanic, Fire Rescue Victoria
- Daniel Kraft, Auto Electrician, Fire Rescue Victoria
- Ian Hilton, Mechanical Technician, MFB
- Darren Darling, Team Leader, MFB; and
- Harry Lollis, Team Leader, MFB
For more information on the Diploma of Leadership and Management, click here.
