Team Q&A: Belinda Coffey
Recently we caught up with Belinda Coffey, who will be familiar to many who have visited the PPT office in recent years. Belinda was recently promoted from Receptionist to Personal Assistant, working with the Accounting team upstairs. We chat with Belinda about her new role and how she has kept herself entertained in ISO.
Where are you originally from?
I was born in Western Australia but moved to Ballarat while I was still a baby. My Mum grew up here, so Ballarat has always been home to her. Though I always joke it was for the better climate.
When did you join PPT?
I joined the PPT family in April 2018. Before that, I worked for an IT company performing helpdesk support for Victoria Police.
You recently received a promotion, tell us about that ….
I started as a Receptionist, the face of the company, and I loved that role. However, I always imagined the next step for me would be a Personal Assistant at PPT, so when the position came up I jumped at the opportunity. It’s been a great challenge so far and I am surrounded by a supportive team which it makes it very enjoyable.
What are you most looking forward to in your new role?
The sense of achievement when you finish something that you have put a lot of time into. My day is never the same, which is something I worried about initially as I am used to a routine, but now I really enjoy the variety. I also look forward to building stronger client relationships. There is nothing better than having clients recognise you from another role and are just as thrilled as you are to still work with them!
What keeps you busy outside of work?
Plenty. Spending time with my fiancé Sam; we have become gamers and couch potatoes since being in isolation, but we are still finding time to organise our wedding for early 2022; running around after my dog, she has been keeping me fit since my gym closed for COVID; Zoom and Teams catch-ups with my friends; we have found a few online games we can play as a group such as the classic UNO and Pictionary. I have also been discovering new music to listen to on Spotify.
Have you taken up any new hobbies in ISO?
I wouldn’t call it much of a hobby, more of a way to spend my money, but I have become a plant lover (or plant mum is what I like to call it).
The most interesting plant in my collection is a Venus Fly Trap, which is always an interesting conversation starter. They require a little more work than I expected and I was concerned when it went dormant over Winter, as I thought I had killed it. But Spring has sprung and it’s now come back to life!
Do you follow any of the teams in the AFL finals?
I barrack for the mighty Bombers. I have a poster hanging up at my desk at work which is regularly commented upon depending on how well they’ve played.
What TV shows are you currently watching right now?
I have caught up on a lot of TV shows during ISO. I am finishing off Grey’s Anatomy and an old classic in Blue Heelers. I have also watched the new seasons of American Horror Story and Stranger Things.
