Arc Infrastructure Planning & Contract Services Specialist Fiona Meerman is celebrating 40 years of service with the business this month.
Fiona started with Westrail as the Assistant Costing Officer in Geraldton in March 1985. The role involved processing timesheets, costing and processing vehicle logsheets, cost monitoring of all project works and the ordering and control of all perway materials and stock.
A veteran of the Western Australian rail industry, Fiona recalls her early career ambitions and reflects that perhaps it’s not surprising she found her way to where she is today.
“I always had a fascination with trains when I was young, but if you had asked me at age 17 where I would end up, I would never have guessed having a long-term career in rail,” Fiona said.
Fiona’s impressive work anniversary coincides with the same month International Women’s Day is celebrated.
“In 1985 women in the rail industry, outside of the Secretarial Branch, were very uncommon. I was extremely lucky early in my career to have been given respect and acknowledgment by my male peers, who took it upon themselves to teach me everything I currently know about rail,” Fiona said.
“For many years I was the only female attending meetings with male counterparts, but I was always just one of the team and never treated differently.”
In her current position as Planning & Contract Services Specialist, Fiona oversees the planning functions for Arc’s internal track teams, as well as the management of the business’ maintenance contractors in surfacing, rail grinding, ultrasonic testing and the provision of work trains.
While over the years the role has changed slightly, and the business has changed owners (Westrail, WestNet Rail and Brookfield Rail) Fiona fondly reflects on what the business has given her.
“Arc is a great company to work for and I have made many long-term friends during my 40 years. The work is challenging and always different, so there is never a chance of being bored,” Fiona said.
“The rail industry is very unique and has a close-knit community of people from all over the country who come and go but somehow seem to always stay connected.”
Head of Maintenance Support Tim Underwood started at Arc in the same region as Fiona almost 12 years ago.
“The years of experience Fiona has is invaluable. With so many scenarios today, she’s often seen it before and she’s either seen it fail or work, so she’s able to use that and apply that thinking to situations every day,” Tim said.
“Fiona is able to provide the context around why things were or weren’t able to work in the past and what we can do differently today. I know the team and I value what she brings to the role and the wider business.”
But it’s not just her 40 years of experience in the rail industry that her team are grateful for.
“I love how excited Fiona is about everyone’s personal achievements and news. She is always interested and cares about what is happening with everyone. Every time she has a reason to ring someone, she’s always interested in what’s going on with them. She cares,” Tim said.
Planning & Contract Services Lead Lee Ilic started at Arc six years after Fiona and the two have been working together since.
“Fiona has been a part of my life for such a long time, we work so well together. Professionally we’ve faced lots of changes over our time together, but Fiona always sees the positive in everything – which makes her a wonderful colleague and friend,” Lee said.
“Fee says it how it is and isn’t afraid to call something out. She’s always there to listen, support and take on any challenge that she’s faced with.
“I always look forward to our catch ups when Fee comes to Perth, always reminiscing and reflecting on past years. Fee is someone who shares the same values and always wants the best for the team and business.”
As her important service milestone approaches, Fiona reflects on some of the biggest changes, challenges and opportunities she’s faced over the past four decades. From the introduction of computers, staff reductions and restructures, business sales and watching colleagues and friends, who she has worked with for many years, transition into retirement, it’s gratitude that comes to mind first.
“Looking back at all these challenges as opportunities for improvement and being flexible enough to change with the times has been my motto throughout it all,” Fiona said.
“I still get so much job satisfaction, I love seeing a good plan come together, the more complex the better the feeling of achievement at the end of the project.”
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