Crawford School of Public Policy

Crawford School introduces our fantastic staff, so you can meet the people of Asia and the Pacific’s leading graduate policy school.

Today, Senior Finance Officer Trinity Smallpage talks about why planning ahead for a day in the office can be challenging, and how technology has actually brought her family closer together during the global pandemic.

What is role at Crawford and what do you enjoy most about it?

I am the Senior Finance Officer at the Australia Pacific Security College at Crawford School. I love the challenges of my role. Being in finance, your day never goes as planned. You go with the flow as the day unfolds. I also enjoy working with a diverse group of colleagues.

Describe your home office for us.

My computer is set up with a view out of my backyard and I am surrounded by two cats and a dog (snoring in the background).

What do you enjoy most about working from home/ what do you miss most?

Being able to sleep in a little longer, and stay in my dressing gown – also be at home for when the kids get home from school.

All of our jobs have undergone major changes during the COVID-19 crisis. How has your role changed?

My working plans are always changing. No day is the same. You come into work with a plan, and it never goes as planned. Everybody is going through some change. With a great support network, it makes it easy and I feel lucky to be working with such a great school.

Can you give us your top three tips about how to stay positive during the COVID-19 outbreak?

Spend more time with family. Do things to the house, that you never get time to do. Use technology (Facetime, House Party) to stay in touch with friends and family. Having a mother in-law in Victoria, she enjoys being able to Facetime us, especially the children. Before COVID-19 it was always only a phone call.