In the Spotlight
Chennell Allan (Class of 2002) is assistant director of emergency preparedness and response at the Australian Radiation Protection And Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA).
She telIs us:
I've been able to represent Australia at the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) safety standards committee where we draft documents that are world’s best practice in emergency preparedness and response to nuclear or radiological incidents and accidents.
I also represent Australia on the World Health Organisation's REMPAN (Radiological Emergency Medical Preparedness Assistance Network ) all this requires a bit of travel and a lot of reading documents ... as well as being an authority on acronyms!
In my down time, I volunteer with St John Ambulance, Victoria, which is a passion I share with my husband and I’m sure when my two children are old enough they will join also - none of which would be possible without the help of our extended family!
Proving the mystery object is safe!
Representing Australia at at the IAEA in Vienna
With my family and Governor General at Government House, Victoria
Proving the mystery object is safe!
Representing Australia at at the IAEA in Vienna
With my family and Governor General at Government House, Victoria
What gets you out of bed on a weekday?
My cat - she loves an early morning feed, and won’t stop meowing until her bowls are filled!
What was your first paid job?
My first paid job would have been babysitting. But my first job with a pay cheque was working as a lab tech in the science lab at DCC preparing the experiments for all the science classes.
Thinking back to your years at Donvale, what do you know now that you wish you’d known then?
There is so much more world out there than I might have imagined, and time is precious!
Who in the public eye would you most and least like to work with?
Most: Their Royal Highnesses the Wales family
Least: Vladimir Putin
What is the strangest situation you have been in at work?
Having to send a selfie of myself with a piece of science equipment to the West Australian police to have a 000 call disregarded… or bobbing along next to a submarine drinking a cup of tea from a China cup! (as in the picture at the top of the page ...)
Who would you most like to be stuck in a lift with?
Bruce Willis
What book are you reading at the moment?
I don’t read books for fun. I read a lot for work, so at the moment I’m reading the newly released documents for the international atomic energy agency (IAEA) - there, I told you acronyms were part of my job!
What was the last CD you bought? (Or album downloaded!)
Michael Bublé Christmas album - I love Christmas.
What song will always get you on the dance floor?
Nutbush
Where is your favourite place in the world?
I’d like to travel a bit more before making that decision, but for now I love the Gold Coast. It’s a family favourite each year for our getaways and it’s time I get to spend with my husband and children and we all enjoy our time together there in the warmth relaxing.
