Outlandish Draft Assignment 1.

Step 1: Ideas, reflection and reaction. Introduction and Chapter 1.

Reality leaves a lot to the imagination.  John Lennon.

I have lost count of how many times I have read this – 57,344 seems about right.  Every time, I have sat there wondering why on earth Mr Turner decided to include this. What does the legendary Lennon have to do with understanding my university degree? I pushed it aside for so long.  And then, after what must have been the 6 millionth breakdown, I found myself, with coffee in hand, poring over the highlighted marks in the printed version of the introduction and Chapter 1, with the audio playing aggressively though the speaker in the background.

My first epiphany. Not only was I listening to Mr. Turner read along with me, but my neighbours were also getting their fair share of his voice and education.  Second Cup of coffee down, and it finally become clear.  There was a trend – a pattern forming in front of me that I could not ignore. Tears started rolling down my cheeks, my glasses fogging up as the heat in my body rose, and my heartbeat sored.  I read again, this time more carefully, the bright yellow highlights staring back at me, as if urging me to finally see my truth:

And we will see what people do, who do well in our unit; as well as what people do who do not. Professional career we have no exam Engage with and discuss with ….* Week 8 & interactions * 150 hours of study          RUN!

I stop dead in my tracks: “But if this is you, do not worry” then I leave google where that saying even come from. ‘Dead in my tracks’ Thank you Cambridge Dictionary.  Now where was I??

Oh yes Mr Turner, the worry was already there long before you said that.  And Lennon!! Well, he is no longer enough to calm it.

I stepped away.  For so long.  Feeling uncertain.  Zero Confidence.  I kept thinking and self-arguing “I am not here to study accounting. What am I doing?” I kept reading.  Repeatedly.  And then for something different, I started listening to new podcasts – things I would have never explored before this unit.  I started attending online lessons, read the material again, and had deep conversations with those closest to me.

Somewhere in this whirlwind of confusion and frustration, a shift happened.  I cannot pinpoint exactly when, but my 2nd epiphany. Lennon, or was it Turner, was teaching me something crucial.  In my own mind, I began to picture myself in an account unity, scrambling to recall page 86 of the Legal Accounting Handbook.  Was I supposed to memorise that?

But here is the truth I finally realised.  The Reality. I am a student.  I am learning.  Failing, Reflecting and Growing.  What I was meant to understand is this: I am building the confidence to learn, to be introduced to concepts that will support my journey ahead in both my studies and my career.  I am meant to be challenged in my prior thoughts’ and possibly unlearn past refidex of false information about numbers, accounting and “the game.”  

Have you seen those short videos on the internet, where the child is having a complete breakdown and trauma response that they are about to drown, only to have the mum put his feet on the ground.  The relief that they didn’t drown and continued to walk around without acknowledging the catastrophic collapse and breakdown in life that just happened.  You know the one.  Did Mr Turner, generate a small touch of a toe on the earth while producing the perception of in what manner we hear, gather, discover and understand to the learn: or was that me?  Introductions to key concepts and questions will support my future and push me to keep learning.

This process, this growth is not scary.  I do not need to have every excel formula etched into my brain, I just need to prepare myself to see things as they really are.  To embrace the unknown with courage and curiosity. 

This is my reality that is learning..

Step 3: “The Company”

The Judgment.

Closes eyes... Clinks the link… softly whispers, “Give me Thompson Lane!” 

Opens eyes… What in the world is Qube?  Confusingly, I re clinked the link just in case. 

Nope.  Qube it is.  Do not be fooled, Qube (SIC) is not a solid bounded by six equal squares or a delicious piece of cheese.  It is a multinational diverse company with more than 10,000 employers and a market capitalisation of around $6.5 billion.

Again, a small, 1-person, freelancing ceramicist company in Toowoomba sounds like a much better option right about now Mr Turner.

In 2016 Qube secured 50 percent interest in Patrick Terminals, a container terminal operating in 4 intentionally appropriately located ports around Australia.  Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle. This acquisition of Patrick creates the two core Divisions in Qube’s Operations. The Operating Division encompasses Qube Logistics & Infrastructure and Qube Ports and Bulk.

Qube has a short but intensive procurement history, with purchases of Giacci, CRT, LCR and  Kalari to name a few. In 2011 Qube was ASX listed. Considering this company hasn’t reached its 20th birthday that, that is rather impressive considering some 20 years olds are still developing self-dressing skills.

Culture branding management.

Qube Statement of Values found here are a set of principles established to guide, encourage and set an expectancy of Qube and its workforce.   Interestingly Qube’s Gender Diversity statement declares it is committed to encourage female participation.  Very contradictory from a position where there is only 4 women in the 21 positions currently held by the Board and Leadership Team. That is less then 20%.  I do not feel encouraged.

Chairman Mr Allan Davies (OAM) was appointed to the position in June 2017, however long before this date, was heavily involved in industries that have brings his genius and capabilities to the forefront.  Mr Davies employment history includes Patrick, Pacific National and Queensland Rail.  Now that is astonishing.

Another extraordinary Board member is Managing Director Mr Paul Digney.  Mr Digney as an instrumental dominant leader in the achieving the direct and tenure of the 2007 P&O Trans Australia, now Qube Logistics and Infrastructure take over. Prior to the 2021 appointment of Managing Director, Mr Digney held Chief Operating Office of the Qube Group and Managing Director of Qube Logistics. .....

TBC