Karl Thompson

Graduate
Computer Science (Majoring in Data Science)

Which areas of Great Southern Bank have you completed your grad rotations so far?

Automation (previous) and Cyber, Tech and Data Governance (Current).

Describe yourself if one word:

Effective.

What is your favourite thing about working at great southern bank?

Being in a technical role, I appreciate our information division’s drive to seek out areas for improvement and refinement of our systems and operations as a company. This paired with a flexibility of working location allows me to strike when the iron is hot and use my time most efficiently to help optimize my contributions to our organization's technical solutions and perform more impactful work more efficiently.

What has been your favourite rotation?

Easily automation. While I enjoy the data oriented side of my work. The ability to plan and execute efficient, logical solutions to very tangible issues people face across the bank every day was extremely cathartic. I found it easy and satisfying to focus in on each new application and workflow I would complete. Seeing my work manifest as measurable improvements on efficiency and ease of use for employees around the bank was by far the most rewarding thing I have been involved in so far.

Describe a typical day for you.

My typical day is really nothing special. Lately it has consisted of a quick talk to my supervisor Peter, to get an idea of what needs doing and how it should take shape, for example data analytics work to tell a story about or craft solutions for the enhancement of our security and technologies. The rest of my day is largely continuous efforts on the grindstone in pursuit of more potent and impactful results with each iteration of whatever task I have set my mind to. I am cautious to always run whatever I build by my supervisors for feedback and guidance. My priorities in the office center around getting wrapped up in the work I am doing, making sure I am consistently improving each day and looking to address issues that we may not yet have thought of.

What do you get involved in, in your spare time?

In my spare time I value heavily the ability to completely disconnect from my work and focus on creative endeavours. Music is very important to me and I am always looking for time to practice various instruments, create and appreciate whatever music excited me. When I’m not doing music I’m typically playing sports. I organise and play in a basketball and soccer team once a week, and really enjoy boxing when I’m not too busy.

Sula Fernando

Graduate
Bachelor of Business (Finance)

Which areas of Great Southern Bank have you completed your graduate rotations so far?

Product - Home Lending Team (previous), Small Business Banking/Commercial Lending (Current)

Describe yourself in one word

Busy

What is your favourite thing about working for Great Southern Bank?

In the short period I have been with Great Southern Bank, I really appreciate the sense of community we endorse and values in which we follow as it is always a driving factor to how we as a bank continually make our decisions. As a graduate, these values ensured a reciprocating collaboration from my very first day and allowed a sense of belonging from the start- enabling my own input to the greater goal of helping everyday Australians from the get-go.

What has been your favourite rotation:

The Product team in the Home Lending division has been my favourite rotation so far. Being in one of the core teams for the bank, I was so fortunate to see the everyday workings of a well-oiled machine. Given my previous experience at branch level, it was amazing to see the inner workings to the genesis of a product, the regular adjustments that are needed to react to changes in the market, as well as the constant communication required to varying stakeholders (internal and external) ensuring all parties are looked after- both customers and the organisation. Due to this, I was fortunate to learn some valuable skills in being versatile, analytical and concise in communication which no doubt will keep me in good stead going forward.

Describe a typical day for you:

My day at Great Southern Bank starts by listing all key tasks for the day on my notebook. Depending on the weight of the tasks, I will usually run it by my team leaders to see the best way to approach it may be. Given the reach the Product- Home Lending team has organisation wide, meetings and presentations are key features in a day ensuring all is smooth sailing from a product and organisation point of view. As a graduate analyst, I would also have the privilege of working on varying projects in different lifecycles whether that be related to the performance of a current product, the removal phase of an existing offering, or attending to any refinements that need to be made.

What do you get involved in your spare time?

Having grown up in a social house, I love spending time feeding the soul by catching up with family and friends, watching all things sport, or catching up with mates at the pub. When I'm not out and about, I love reading and prioritising some much needed rest.

Maddison Barratt

Graduate
Business (Majoring in Marketing and International Business)

Which areas of Great Southern Bank have you completed your graduate rotations in so far?

So far, I’ve completed rotations in Business Controls, supporting both the Finance and People and Culture divisions, and I’m currently in my rotation with the Sponsorships team in Marketing.

Describe yourself in one word:

Driven

What has been your favourite thing about working at Great Southern Bank?

My favourite thing about working at Great Southern Bank is being part of a values-driven organisation that genuinely puts its people and customers first. The positive culture, focus on wellbeing and inclusivity, and the endless opportunities for growth have made it a standout experience. I’ve had the chance to build meaningful connections with passionate, likeminded colleagues, and contribute to projects where my input is truly valued, regardless of my level. Unlike previous roles where I gained specific technical skills, at Great Southern Bank I’ve developed a broad understanding of the business, gained confidence, and learned more about my strengths, especially through development tools like Clifton Strengths, which helped me understand how I best contribute to a team.

What has been your favourite rotation?

My favourite rotation so far has been in the Business Controls team, where I supported both the Finance and People and Culture divisions. I was given real responsibility and meaningful work that directly impacted risk reporting and governance processes. My leaders went above and beyond to ensure I was supported, challenged, and included in critical conversations. I experienced incredible personal and professional growth, built strong relationships across the business, and gained confidence in guiding senior leaders through complex risk processes. It was a rotation where I truly felt like I added value while also growing immensely.

Describe a typical day for you

A typical day begins with arriving at the office, greeting my team, and settling in by checking emails, reviewing my calendar, and completing any quick admin tasks. This helps me start the day organised and aware of any priorities or changes that may impact my schedule. Once settled, I review the key priorities for the day. This often includes checking the status of open incidents, issues, risks, and controls in Archer, identifying any actions that need to be followed up or escalated. I also prepare for any upcoming meetings by reviewing relevant materials and ensuring I can contribute meaningful insights, whether that’s presenting risk updates, discussing dashboards, or providing support to stakeholders. Throughout the day, I collaborate closely with leaders and team members to help them navigate Archer, raise new risk items, or close out outstanding actions. I also contribute to longer-term initiatives, such as improving reporting processes, uplifting dashboards, or simplifying risk communications. While each day can look a little different, I always focus on staying proactive, being a reliable support to others, and ensuring my work adds value to the broader business and risk culture.

What do you get involved in your spare time?

Outside of work, I like to keep active and prioritise a balanced lifestyle. I play for a women's AFL team, which not only keeps me active but also gives me a strong sense of community and teamwork. I regularly go to the gym and enjoy a variety of classes, with Pilates being a personal favourite. I love getting outdoors, whether it's going for a run, taking the dog for a walk, or going to the beach or nearby creek for a swim. I also really value quality time with my family, especially with my three-year-old sister, and I make time to catch up with my friends whenever I can. At the same time, I also appreciate my own personal space and down time to recharge and reset.

Jeremy Abraham

2025 Graduate
Bachelor of Business (Major in Finance)

Which areas of Great Southern Bank have you completed your graduate rotations so far?

Finance (previous), Treasury (current)

Describe yourself in one word.

Authentic

What is your favourite thing about working at Great Southern Bank?

My favourite thing about working at Great Southern Bank is the immense potential it holds as a relatively smaller institution. With the upcoming significant financial institution recognition, Great Southern Bank has encouraged and provided me with opportunities to make contributions that have a meaningful and lasting impact on the bank’s growth and success.

What has been your favourite rotation?

Finance, working as a Treasury Accountant. Whilst not having an accounting background, I was able to develop my professional skillset in areas such as securitisation, interest rate derivatives, and financial instruments accounting. Through the facilitation and support of my colleagues, I was trusted with running a critical process of the bank and was able to lead a project that transformed the way the bank values it's liquid asset portfolio.

Describe a typical day for you.

My day would always start with grabbing a coffee and talking sport with my colleagues, I then reconcile the previous days deals to our corporate account and ensure nothing was missed. I then setup for the start of the day by checking the event diary to see what existing deals are maturing and load any margin calls due. Once existing deals are loaded, I coordinate with front-office and external counterparties to ensure any new deals or swaps are loaded before market closure. After market closure, I post today’s journal and reconcile between our Treasury management system and Austraclear (market) account, I then work on any projects and call it a day.

What do you get involved in your spare time?

My physical and social wellbeing takes up most of my spare time, I gym 4-5 times a week and play in a football team. My weekends are usually filled with watching some type of sport at the pub with my mates, spending time with my family and walking my dog Luna, I also have various hobbies such as reading, watching films, and playing chess.

Miranda Muir

2025 Graduate
Bachelor of Psychological Science (Hons)

Which areas of Great Southern Bank have you completed your graduate rotations so far?

People and Culture (previous), Customer Research and Insights (current)

Describe yourself in one word.

Analytical

What is your favourite thing about working at Great Southern Bank?

My favourite thing about working at Great Southern Bank is the strong sense of values. This is an organisation driven by values, which is important to me. Our strong values at Great Southern Bank drive us as an organisation to be focused on growth, customers and performance while keeping it real, and creating trust and collaboration in our environment. This strong values focus aligns with how we work here at Great Southern Bank, and that is incredibly improtant to me. To work in an environnment of such inclusivity, trust and collaboration is very advantageous.

What has been your favourite rotation?

People and Culture, working in the Culture, Leadership and Experience team has been my favourite rotation so far. Being in a position to help the organisation grow and expand on our pre-existing culture, leadership and experience projects with a team that is very engaging, interactive and open to new ideas has been a privilege. I have enjoyed working on projects such as our Gallup engagement survey, refreshing our Employee Resource Groups and hosting an event with Diversity Council Australia.

Describe a typical day for you.

A typical day for me starts with getting into the office, saying hello to my team and checking in if there is anything on today they need help with. I then sit down and check my emails, messages and plan my workload. I often have meetings, just from the nature of a role in People and Culture, and enjoy meetings as it is great to collaborate with new teams and individuals in this environment. I will have a 1-1 check in with my team leader most days of the week, and keep in communication about my workload. Though my days can vary, what stays the same is always a warm good morning, and good evening from my team, interesting work and friendly chats and collaboration around the office.

What do you get involved in your spare time?

In my time off I prioritise my social and physical wellbeing. I love to see my friends whether that means a walk, a coffee or a dinner. I love the gym, pilates and yoga and place a lot of importance on having time for this regularly during the week. I also am an amateur chef, cooking with my partner regularly and always looking for a new recipe to try.

Aum Unager

2025 Graduate
Bachelor of Actuarial Science (major in Data Analytics and Finance)

Which areas of Great Southern Bank have you completed your graduate rotations so far?

Enterprise Data (first rotation), Business Controls (current)

Describe yourself in one word.

Meticulous

What is your favourite thing about working at Great Southern Bank?

My favourite thing about working at Great Southern Bank is the dynamic and collaborative environment that constantly challenges me to grow and innovate. The culture here encourages continuous learning and problem-solving, which aligns perfectly with my passion for tackling complex puzzles. Whether it's diving into enterprise data to uncover actionable insights or working with cross-functional teams to drive strategic initiatives, every day at Great Southern Bank is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact. The support and mentorship from colleagues further enhance my experience, making Great Southern Bank not just a workplace, but a community where I can thrive both professionally and personally.

What has been your favourite rotation?

Enterprise Data has been my favourite rotation because it feels like solving an endless series of fascinating puzzles. Each dataset is a new challenge, a complex puzzle waiting to be unravelled. I love diving into the vast ocean of data, where every piece of information holds the potential to unlock powerful insights and solutions.Working with enterprise data allows me to manage, integrate, and analyse large-scale datasets, transforming raw data into valuable, actionable insights. This process is akin to piecing together a puzzle, where each data point fits into a larger picture that drives smart business decisions.This rotation has been an adventure, offering me the chance to collaborate with various departments and see firsthand how data fuels business processes and sparks innovation. The thrill of solving these data puzzles and the satisfaction of seeing the impact of my work on key business outcomes make enterprise data an incredibly rewarding and dynamic field for me.

Describe a typical day for you.

A typical day at work at Great Southern Bank is dynamic and engaging, filled with opportunities to solve complex problems and collaborate with talented colleagues. My day often starts with a team stand-up meeting where we discuss our progress, share updates, and align on priorities.I then dive into my tasks, which can range from analysing large datasets to uncover insights, developing data models, or working on data integration projects. I enjoy the challenge of transforming raw data into actionable insights, much like solving a puzzle.Throughout the day, I collaborate with different departments, providing data-driven recommendations to support their initiatives. This cross-functional interaction not only broadens my understanding of the business but also fosters a sense of community and shared purpose.Afternoons are often reserved for meetings or brainstorming sessions where we discuss new ideas, troubleshoot issues, and plan future projects. The supportive and innovative culture at Great Southern Bank makes every day exciting and rewarding, as I know my work is making a meaningful impact.

What do you get involved in your spare time?

In my off time, I like to take my mind off everything by going to the gym. I prioiritise relaxing in my off time by either reading, watching movies or playing a musical instrument (I enjoy playing the acoustic guitar, and I’m also learning the harmonium, which is like a keyboard widely used in Indian classical music). I’ve also been playing cricket from a young age which I still love following, watching and playing in my spare time.

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