Vivienne Vignettes: Olympia
Olympia’s story is one of community service, determination, and the unexpected joy she found after leaving the corporate world to embrace life on her terms.
From Classroom to Commonwealth
Olympia began her career as a primary school teacher. She loved teaching and watching students learn, but felt drawn to do something more, so she took a short Information Technology course at Victoria University.
After her cousin, a Professional Development Training officer with the Australian Public Service (APS), described their job, Olympia was intrigued. It was a chance to use her skills beyond the classroom and meet new people. She took the APS entry exam and soon joined a large government department in Melbourne's CBD.
Finding her Stride in IT and Education
Olympia’s first day in the APS was unique. The office was introducing desktop computers, all part of the ‘Modernisation’ project. At the same event, she met her future husband. Comfortable but eager to grow, Olympia began evening Business Accounting classes while working during the day.
Her studies gave her sufficient knowledge and confidence to broaden the scope of her current work, enabling her to sustain herself without completing the degree. Olympia soon became known for hosting public education forums and facilitating IT information sessions, discovering she was not just capable, but genuinely skilled and energised by presenting and translating complex information in a way people could understand.
Creativity, Leadership and the Slow Squeeze
Public Education and IT training turned out to be her sweet spot; a perfect blend of teaching, technology and client service. When IT later merged with the corporate services team, Olympia relished the chance to add new responsibilities while keeping the parts of the work she loved. She excelled at designing innovative multimedia and eLearning products, drawing on her creative skills in collaborative settings with clients and stakeholders. Several of her products received awards for excellence. Unfortunately, around this time Olympia became the focus of a bullying ‘leader’ who excluded her from important meetings and attempted to sabotage her public presentations.
The Big Decision
Near the end of her Certificate IV in Training and Assessment course at Victoria University, their Centre for Learning and Development invited Olympia to apply for a teaching role at the university. It was a great opportunity to use her experience in a new setting. Olympia felt refreshed and valued, working with welcoming staff and eager students while contributing to the development of teaching policies.
Olympia soon returned to her permanent job with an exciting team and a great manager. Unfortunately though, her next move exposed her to poor leadership and office politics again.
Though she enjoyed working with a broad range of clients, Olympia’s new manager had the audacity to cage her ambitions, declaring she ‘belonged’ to him. Enduring years of careful diplomacy and ‘playing by the rules’ left her feeling diminished, so when the long-awaited chance to leave this workplace finally arose, she seized it with a surge of relief. On her last day, Olympia danced out of the building—her joy palpable, her spirit finally unbound. She felt relieved to leave a toxic culture behind. Years later, she described the experience as escaping what felt like a cult.
A New Life Built on Curiosity and Joy
After three decades of work and raising a family, Olympia now embraced a life shaped by her curiosity—not a work or family schedule in sight.
She joined a book club, took watercolour classes from a respected artist, and became active with the NGV and the Incinerator Gallery.
The gallery reconnected her with art, creativity, innovation, and her community. For years, Olympia guided visitors and used her presentation skills, even displaying her own art.
The Quiet Power of Time that Belongs to You
Since childhood, Olympia harboured a secret. In the quiet hours, Olympia would write and illustrate creative stories for her own entertainment and later, her children. She dreamed of becoming a published author one day.
She joined a Professional Writing and Editing course at VU to develop skills and find her community. Olympia won short story competitions and published poems. In 2021, she published her first book, Yiasou Yarraville, with support from a local council grant and a bank.
Olympia is deeply involved with community life and local history. For the past several years, she has been documenting the stories that shape her local community, including Yiasou Yarraville and the recent Stories of Bradmill documentary. She is an active member of the Footscray Historical Society committee, the Maribyrnong Council’s Heritage Advisory Committee, and the Healthy and Active Ageing Committee.
Today, Olympia is the inaugural Maidstone Community Centre Writer in Residence for 2026.
Stay Curious and Connected
Now in her sixties, Olympia can finally choose her path. She feels calmer and more curious about her future, and she enjoys saying yes to opportunities that delight her. After decades of work, study, and caring for others, Olympia now fills her days with art, history, reading, conversation, and community.
Olympia’s story is a powerful reminder that leaving a long corporate career can be a generous, creative, vivacious beginning.
