One-on-one with the Director-General
By Andie Gatti
APRIL 2009
Acting Director-General Julie Grantham.
Many staff members may recognise the friendly, familiar face at the helm of the Department of Education and Training (DET) after the recent machinery of government changes.
Director-General Julie Grantham returns to the education sector after two years at the Department of Justice and Attorney-General (JAG), first as Deputy Director-General for Justice Administration and then Director-General.
Travelling in the lift at Education House with Ms Grantham is like being with a colleague who's worked in the department for many years.
She's the one who greets by name the woman who just squeezes in before the doors close. Then asks her if she's still working on such-and-such, sharing a laugh when she's shown the joke gift the woman has bought for a co-worker who is getting married.
'That's the nicest thing about coming back,' Ms Grantham said.
'The good relationships I've got with people across the portfolio.'
Relationships are important to Ms Grantham and the best way to move forward, she says.
'I think good relationships are based on respect. Our relationships are advanced by quality interaction and simple language that builds positive feeling so that we can achieve things.
'I'm open, frank and honest. I believe in giving good feedback, having difficult conversations with dignity. I'm very direct but not to the point of being stubborn. I consider others' opinions and at times change my mind by listening and considering.
'I like people who contribute. I like diverse opinions where we come up with a solution.'
Diverse opinions would be needed to solve the department's greatest challenges, including managing core business in tough economic times, Ms Grantham said.
'We're all impacted upon by the global economic crisis and we all need to be aware the investment in education and training is finite. Further investment will be limited so we have to look at everything we do, everything we've done and prioritise what needs doing.'
Ms Grantham said she would like to see central office become more strategic and regional offices become more focused on local operations.
'I want regions to be the key level of supervision for the delivery of services across the portfolio. I don't want to duplicate functions but I want operations to be more localised.'
Many staff may be familiar with Ms Grantham from her time as Education Queensland's School Resourcing and Administration Assistant Director-General.
Ms Grantham said she could not compare that role with her new position as Director-General.
'My focus then was channelled to supporting regions through resourcing agreements while this role is broader in that it has responsibility for the whole sector including the broader education portfolio, as well as the corporate support functions,' she said.
'That was a very specific process and this is a broader process approach. However I understand school issues and challenges and I look forward to assisting and supporting them in their challenges such as improving literacy and numeracy and national curriculum reforms.'
Ms Grantham has an understanding of what it means to work at the coalface, having started her career as a teacher at Beenleigh State High School in the Logan-Beaudesert district.
'I taught at schools mainly in the south-east,' she said.
'Every time I left a school it was for another challenge and a change. I enjoyed opportunities to broaden my experiences and work in new schools as they are all different.
'I was honoured to be the foundation principal of Robina State High School and Varsity College (both on the Gold Coast).
'I met so many people through the corporate (central office) area, especially in facilities and resourcing. I built networks in the department through those opportunities and those key contacts have already assisted me upon my return.
'I would like to think school people will be confident with my knowledge of schools having been a principal in primary, secondary and P-12 schools.'
Born and raised in Goondiwindi, Ms Grantham said her Year 9 teacher at Goondiwindi State High School shaped her career.
'Ms Green didn't stay long in the community because she represented Queensland in softball,' she said. 'But I can recall the time when I said, "I want to be just like her".
'She seemed to be able to do everything. She was a great teacher, great sportswoman and a great woman.
'She was inspirational. She made us believe in ourselves; that being from the country was an advantage. She taught me to think beyond what I thought were my capabilities and to take every opportunity. From that time on my path was set.'
When asked what she wanted to achieve during her tenure in charge of one of Queensland's largest government employers, Ms Grantham was to the point.
'I want to see in five years that DET is leading the nation in education and training,' she said.
'I think that is a goal we all have to aspire to and sign up to. I know it's not without challenge but if we use that as our goal everything else will fall into place.'
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