The former Kiwi was studying a Bachelor of Business (Maritime &Logistics Management) by distance education but made the move when her now master mariner husband was required to complete a 10-month Nautical Science course on the Newnham campus.

“I was disciplined and focussed enough to be able to study via distance education and I found the flexibility an advantage,” she said.

“But I can also testify to the privileges that come with being an on campus student at AMC.”

Georgina, 33, enjoyed her year in Launceston.

“I absolutely loved spending the weekends getting out of Launceston and discovering different corners and hidden gems of Tasmania,” she said.

“It really is a wonderful part of Australia and I would love to live there more permanently in the future.”

Now an imports officer with shipping line American President Lines Georgina also thrived academically on campus.

“Attending lectures in person was very beneficial, having the lecturer there in front of you to ask questions without having to wait for email reply was hugely advantageous,”
she said.

“I was particularly fond of my maritime law lectures undertaken by Poomintr Sooksripaisarnkit.

“He stood out as one of my favourite lecturers and I consider myself very fortunate to have had his experience and guidance help shape my studies and future career,” she said.

She said the relationships formed while at the AMC were memorable especially with staff from the Distance Education office.

‘I will forever be grateful for their assistance throughout my degree and I would not have completed were it not for them.

Georgina had a rich maritime background before she began studies at AMC.

“I moved from New Zealand to the Whitsunday in Queensland in 200i9 as a scuba diving instructor to dive on the Great Barrier Reef,” she said.

“During this time I acquired sea time skills that enabled me to gain my Master 5 and MED 3 tickets marine.

She then made the transition from submarine to on-water roles.

“I worked as a deckhand and a master on various vessels including tugs, ferries, pontoons, barges, and Queensland, Northern territory, the Kimberley in Western Australia, Papua New Guinea, South Pacific islands and New Zealand,” she said.

In 2015 she left her sea legs behind to pursue a land-based career.

‘I knew I never wanted to be at sea my entire life as much as I loved it,” she said.

She followed her husband’s lead and enrolled in the Bachelor’s course at AMC starting in second semester 2015.

“At the end of 2016 we packed our bags again, threw the dog in the car and headed back to Queensland where I finished my degree as a distance student once more,” she said.

Georgina is presently studying a postgraduate diploma in Project Management.

“These are highly sought after skills among businesses and governments in Australia especially with mergers and acquisition are the norms within today’s business world,” she said.

“I believe this will expand my opportunity pool in the future compared with shipping which is rather specific.

She loves her job which prompted a move to Melbourne.

“My main responsibility is to ensure that the company’s VIP import customers receive a seamless and trouble-free shipping experience,” she said.

“There are a number of challenges when you consider the nature of shipping and all the internal and external parties involved from booking at port of origin to arrival at the destination.

“I must continuously monitor and trouble shoot all potential issues efficiently which means spending a lot of time with multiple departments stakeholders here in Australia and internationally.

“I must try to rectify issues before APL or our customers incur financial or efficiency penalties,” she said.

Published on: 14 Oct 2019