EA PROFILE
much of it is about learning on the job. I think it’s imperative
career, like many EAs, had humble beginnings. He began
that you have an open mindset about your role and that you
working in the cataloguing department for the South
are always keen to learn.”
Australian State Public Service and it was here that he had
It’s not the first time that Anthony mentions growth
his first taste of an administrative role.
during our talk; it’s a constant theme that underpins his
“It was a very basic admin job. In fact I literally
professional life. As he describes his career and his current
catalogued items from warehouses on a green-screened
role, learning and developing is always at his journey’s core.
computer,” reflects Anthony.
A ‘typical’ day in Anthony’s job is packed to the brim
He then moved to Sydney a few years later and wound
with different tasks and responsibilities. He tells me how
up working as an administrative assistant at Bondi Primary
he’s not only responsible for managing Louise’s workday,
School. But shortly after, Anthony’s career took an
but he also has a host of other roles that keep him busy. He’s
interesting turn. “It was 1991, and around that time was the
responsible for welcoming royalty, heads of state and other
peak of the HIV epidemic. On a whim, I applied for a job as
VIP guests as Protocol Officer, he manages a team of EAs,
a receptionist at the AIDS Council of NSW. I was thrown into
this NSW Government funded, but community organisation, fixes urgent problems around the venue and so much more.
It sounds like an exhausting job to me, but Anthony
of about 150 people. Where I sat on a very busy switchboard
seems to revel in the chaos of it all. “The EA role is no longer
with another woman, and the phones were ringing off the
a typing-pool secretary. That’s not what we are about.
hook. People were wanting information, health support.
We are now a strategic partner,” he says. “EAs
People in trauma.”
now have a more strategic position; engaging
Serving at the front line of an epidemic
in a real interactive way with the leader, being
Anthony learnt the art—and the importance—of
proactive and taking initiative, putting your
excellent customer service. “What you actually
hand up for things, getting ahead of the issues,
do on the front line is incredibly important to
SYDNEY OPERA
and understanding the nuance of some of the
whoever your client is. In this case it was usually
HOUSE
decisions that are made at the executive level.”
people who had been newly diagnosed and didn’t
According to Anthony, the secret to
know anything about the disease. At that point
Without a doubt
one of Australia’s most
performing in such a hectic and important
none of the treatments for HIV were working, and
recognisable icons, the
profession is to find your place at an organisation
it was an amazing learning experience for me, to
Sydney Opera House
that fits with you. “It’s all about working out
see how an organisation of professionals can come
has been the centre of
Australian performing
what the authentic ‘you’ is, and how you can
together to create a response.”
arts for over 50 years.
bring that authentic ‘you’ to work. You need
“It was actually in the face of terrible
Its many concert halls
to find an alignment between you and your
discrimination from politicians and the media,
and intimate spaces
have been visited by the
workplace, your colleagues and your leader,” he
like the grim reaper campaign. So for me, it really
world’s finest acts and
continues.
taught me about the value of being part of an
performers. The venue is
“When you do that, which is where I am at this
organisation and a community.”
also open for corporate
bookings and events,
point, you actually love coming to work. I think
After rising through the administrative ranks
with a range of options
that’s the key, that’s all you can ask for, getting
at the AIDS Council, Anthony decided to branch
for visitors.
excited about coming to work.”
out into other industries as an EA. He spent the
sydneyoperahouse.com
Now Anthony stands at the top of his field,
following years working for organisations such
as winner of PA of the Year Australasia 2018. He
as Sydney Symphony Orchestra and David Jones
reflects on the awards night, and how it feels to be
before finding his way to the Sydney Opera
recognised as an award-winning professional. “The awards
House.
night in Melbourne was such a buzz, made all the more
It was here that Anthony found his true calling as an EA,
special by my partner Michael, my CEO Louise and some
and spent the next 13 years perfecting his craft.
colleagues and friends being there too. When my name was
“Every day I still marvel when walking along East
called out at the end of the night, it felt a bit like winning the
Circular Quay and the sails appear around the corner. I’m so
Gold Logie!”
lucky to be working here, it’s a true privilege.”
“Winning the PA of the Year award has undoubtedly
The Sydney Opera House is one of Australia’s most iconic
been a career highlight—so far! It’s an honour to be a
buildings; it’s a place where arts, business, and government
short-term custodian of the PA of the Year title, not only for
collide. Anthony’s job as EA to the CEO of the Opera House,
myself personally and the Opera House, but as a very proud
Louise Herron, is as dynamic as it is satisfying.
representative of our fantastic EA profession.”
“The show must go on. The curtain must go up. You sit in
As our conversation draws to a close, and I thank Anthony
the concert hall and you watch this beautiful performance
for his time, he perks up and exclaims, “Oh, I completely
that can be thrilling and magical. But behind the scenes is a
forgot to mention my 25-year-long drag career!” Despite
completely different story where it’s all happening. […] EAs
my wonder, somehow I wasn’t surprised to learn he is not
working in this area are, in our own way, making this magic
only an incredible EA and professional, but a world-class
happen,” describes Anthony.
performer. It’s not hard to imagine Anthony applying
Although Anthony has had a successful journey so far,
the same energy, passion and gusto that he does in his
everyone has good and bad moments in their career. I asked
profession to his shows. S
him how to deal with the ups and downs of being an EA,
and how he navigated the field. “It’s funny because a lot of
Nominations are now open for the 2019 Executive PA Awards, go to
EAs have had this organic journey to where they are now. So
www.executivepa.com.au/executive-pa-awards and hit ‘Nominate Here’.
Issue 2 2019 | Chief of Staff 51