RIMPA CEO Reflects on a Lifetime of Record-Keeping

Taking a trip down memory lane can sometimes lead to surprising discoveries. This week, I found myself feeling quite sentimental as I prepared for an exciting new chapter—becoming a grandparent (by the time you read this, I might already be one!). While digging out my daughter’s birth and vaccination records to compare her stats with her soon-to-arrive baby, I stumbled across more than just baby photos and medical charts.

What I uncovered were mementos and reports my mother and I had carefully filed over the years. My mum was the official records manager of my life for the first 18 years—after that, I took over the role! It hit me that perhaps my love for organisation and records management was rooted in those early years. Photos were labelled and stored by year, all neatly filed along with awards and achievements—it’s no wonder I found my way into this profession.

While sifting through the boxes, I found something that made me chuckle—job references from the early '80s! Back then, you needed to provide three references for even the simplest job applications. I had applied for a four-week mail room/filing role at the Shire of Melton, eager to build my resume before pursuing a career in accounting (spoiler alert: that accounting dream didn’t last long once I discovered records management!).

To my surprise, those references were still in perfect condition—no fading from old fax machines, still crisp and readable. Some of the comments made me smile, as they still reflect who I am today:

• Willing and co-operative
• Determined
• Dominant
• Objective
• Understanding

Of course, I won’t pretend they were all glowing. The reference from Melton High School was less than flattering—apparently, I had an “inability to cope with History.” The truth? I refused to submit assignments because I believed we should be learning Australian history, not American. I stood my ground, and while it cost me a passing grade, it reinforced something I have carried with me ever since: I’m not afraid to stand up for what I believe in.

Oh, and by the way—I got the job! That role became the perfect foundation for everything I have learned in my career. It was the best launching pad I could have hoped for, and I ended up staying there for eleven years.

It was also interesting to see how times have changed in how we write about people:

• “Pleasant manner and good appearance” – from Maribyrnong High School. Imagine writing about someone’s appearance in a reference today! What did that even mean—was I well-dressed, just clean?
• “Anne’s inability to cope with History” – as if I couldn’t handle the subject, rather than the reality: Anne wouldn’t do the work!
• “Anne has always been an affable and pleasant young lady” – from Willan & McKenzie. Reading that now feels a bit condescending, doesn’t it?
• Leaving Certificate – Does anyone under 50 even know what that is? Completion of Year 11!

Looking back, it’s clear how much our past shapes our future. I might not have become an accountant, but my lifelong love for organising has brought me to where I am today.

If you have any stories about your own journey in records management (or a memorable trip down memory lane), we would love to hear them. Share them with your RIMPA Global family here — we are always here to celebrate the past while shaping the future together!