Five Minutes With Lisa Mcintosh

1. How long have you been in the role and what was your previous role in the Archdiocese?
I have been in my current role officially as Office Manager since the beginning of September 2017. Previously before that, I started working for the Tribunal in September 2014 as a typist; two days a week during school hours typing transcriptions and other general typing.

2. What does the near future look like for you at the Tribunal in terms of work?
In the near future, there will always be work generated in our Archdiocesan Tribunal with new cases coming along, as well as monitoring and progressing the existing cases. It takes time and patience processing these cases. It isn’t a two minute process where you suddenly get an annulment. You have to process everything correctly, otherwise it won’t get through to judgement, which is done in Sydney. There is a lot of time spent with interviewing clients and liaising with them. It is very important to have a professional, yet warm manner, where people feel comfortable talking with you about their case. It is very rewarding when you have worked on case from start to finish and get an excellent result for the client after the judgement has come back.

3. What do you see as the main challenges to your position?
There are several challenges in my position. You are dealing with people in a very emotionally challenged period of their life and you need to show empathy and understanding. It isn’t a position for just anyone. I think having maturity, understanding and patience is a major benefit working in this role. I think having started at the Tribunal in 2014; it allowed me to learn and grow into my now current role with a good solid understanding, opposed to stepping into the role in a “raw” sense with no previous experience in Tribunal work.

4. What other industries have you worked in before joining the Archdiocese?
I have worked in the accounting industry with Ernst and Young and then moved into the building industry with Hindmarsh Group working as an Executive Assistant when I returned from overseas. That was a very rewarding role. I spent over ten years working for the Hindmarsh Group.

5. What is your favourite sporting team?
I don’t really follow a team as such. If a Canberra team gets into a major final whether it is rugby or league, then I will cheer for that team! I do follow the horse races though. I am from a racing background. No – I don’t punt!! Only on Melbourne Cup day!

6. Which is your favourite saint?
St Peregrine – the Patron Saint of Cancer. I went through cancer treatment five years ago along with several family members, so this Saint is particularly significant to me.

7. What is your favourite dish or restaurant in Canberra?
I love Vietnamese cuisine. I wish I could cook it as well as you get it in a restaurant. You can’t go past My’s at Weston Creek or Tu Do in O’Conner, they have fantastic Pho Soups.

8. What is your favourite beverage?
Definitely New Zealand Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc!

9. Have you got any pets?
Yes I have. I have two showjumpers – Henri and James. They are both thoroughbreds off the track. I have three cows – Corki, Maggie and Chloe and several sheep – Timmy, Tilly, Eris, Sheep, Ben and Spikette plus a fawn rabbit known as CJ who travels to the coast with us on holidays.

10. What inspires you?
Living life to the most and appreciating every day. I love to be surrounded by positive, upbeat people who enjoy life!

11. What kind of music do you like listen to?
Its varied; everything from Neil Diamond to modern day music. I don’t like rap music.

12. If you could invite three people to dinner, who would they be?
The Pope, Prince Harry and Donald Trump – it would make for an interesting night!

13. What are some of your favourite hobbies?
My favourite hobby is show jumping. As I previously said, I have two horses. I train with Grant Hughes at Forest Parking Riding School during the week. We have a great show jumping club in Canberra who run events throughout the year. Everyone supports each other. It is the most levelling sport I know of.