Council as their new Fleet and Facilities Manager. She’s keen to throw herself into the job and also try some new hobbies.
Lana Phoenix is a new face at Cobar Shire Council with Ms Phoenix commencing in the role of Fleet and Facilities Manager last week.
Ms Phoenix has extensive experience in Asset/Property/Project Management as well as Acquisitions, Planning and Government Policy implementation.
She has a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and Master’s degree in Railway Engineering, is a qualified Property Valuer, registered Real Estate Agent and a certified Core Practitioner.
Ms Phoenix moved to Australia with her son from St Petersburg in April 2001 to join her husband who was working here six months of the year.
“Every time he would come back home, he would say how beautiful Australia was and that he would like us to live there,” Ms Phoenix said.
“I have to agree with him, it’s a beautiful country.”
Ms Phoenix began working in property management, firstly in residential and then had the opportunity to move into commercial management.
Since 2015, she has worked in various Federal and State Government roles.
Her career includes experience in property management and civil engineering, highlighted by her involvement in significant projects like the Sydney Metro North West and the Parramatta Light Rail.
“Sydney Metro North West is part of Transport NSW and they were looking for someone who had civil engineering, commercial property management and valuation experience and so I was headhunted by them and this is how my government engagement commenced,” she said.
“It was an amazing project to work on. I consider it my legacy and a highlight of my career.
“I was there for the duration of the project until it was completed.”
She lived in Sydney for over 20 years, working in various roles, including working as a FIFO (Fly In/Fly Out) on Snowy Hydro 2.0.
“It was an interesting experience,” she said.
Ms Phoenix decided to move to Bathurst last year.
“Where I could afford to buy a house and my daughter had finished school.”
She was working as a senior property manager when she saw the Fleet and Facilities Manager role pop up at Cobar.
“I’ve wanted to work in Local Government for some time and this role appealed to me,” she said.
She’s currently employed as a casual and over the next few months she and council will see if she’s a good fit for the role.
In her new role with Cobar Shire Council, Ms Phoenix will oversee fleet management of all council vehicles (including procurement, service, repairs, registration and insurance) and the facilities management for council properties, including staff houses, the old cinema building, the Grand Hotel building, the museum and other council-owned properties.
“Workwise I believe I have enough experience in order to step into the role and hopefully succeed,” she said.
“My biggest challenge is probably going to be assimilating into the community.
“Making friends will keep me here longer.”
Ms Phoenix said so far all of her experiences in Cobar over the past week have been positive.
She has found the council staff and community to be friendly.
Over the weekend she visited the swimming pool, had a night out at the Cobar Bowling & Golf Club and had a very a memorable guided tour of the museum with curator Kay Stingemore.
“Kay was very good.
“It was very educational and entertaining and probably one of the best excursions I have been given,” she said.
Ms Phoenix is passionate about cooking, mainly savoury foods.
“My Borscht is excellent, my grandmother was Ukrainian.”
She enjoys swimming and walking and has plans to join Cobar’s Park Run group.
Ms Phoenix said she is also keen to try new hobbies including golf, bowls, yoga and pottery and is interested in doing some volunteer work with Rotary.
