Barry Brown
Thirty-four years and still going strong. I commenced work with the State
Government Insurance Office (SGIO) thirty-four years ago and I think I was the
first blind typist in the State Public Service. I used a manual typewriter and
typed letters, form letters and memos from plastic records recorded by dictators
throughout the building. The quality was poor. About a year later, we changed
to cassettes and the system was upgraded.
I worked in a Typing Pool and was
the only guy there with about thirty-five other girls. When SGIO became Suncorp
on 1 March 1986, the Typing Pool was gradually disbanded and for the next 12
years, I did admin work and typed for a few different people. In 1990, I joined
the staff working on computer systems and commenced using speech software which
enabled me to continue my typist role.
In June 1998, I joined the Group Facilities
Department and assisted with answering calls from staff regarding all sorts
of equipment breakdowns and other tasks.
In July 2004, I joined Suncorp Careers
and assisted with reference checks and admin work. In August 2006, I joined
the Logistics Team undertaking admin tasks. This is where I am at present. Thirty-four
years on, I’m still enjoying working with Suncorp and continue to learn
about the processes we undertake.
I am also an active member of the Qld Blind Bowls Association which I joined
in 1988. Although I didn’t play a lot in the first few years, in 1993
I commenced being coached by an ex-Suncorp employee and in 1996 I debuted in
the State Championships. In 1999, I debuted for Qld in the National Championships
and have competed ever since. In 2003 in Melbourne, I won the most Outstanding
Individual Performance for males and in 2004, I was selected in the Australian
team for the World Blind Bowls Championships in Johannesburg in April 2005.
I competed for Australia in the Trans-Tasman series in Auckland, New Zealand
in February 2007 and won 5 from 6 games. Australia won back the shield by 62
points to 30. Overall, I have won 12 National Gold medals and 10 State Gold
medals. I’m going for my 6th successive State Singles title in July 2007.
Barry Brown
Logistics Officer
