Q&A: One lesson I’ve learnt – Maria Theresa Viney

Q: Before moving to Kin Kin, Queensland, in 1991, you lived in Manila with your husband and two daughters. A remote farm in Queensland is quite the change from a busy and bustling city! How did you adapt to life in Queensland?

A: For the first six years of my life, I lived in the mountains on the island of Panay. So I spent some of my upbringing in a remote part of the Philippines.

However, my two daughters, Rona and Grace, had only lived in Manila. My husband Jack moved to Australia before we did. He anticipated that moving could be challenging for our family, so he used to send us photos and videos of the house we would soon call home, the farm and the community. We had the chance to make friends with some of the neighbours before we’d even landed in Australia.

Upon arrival, we attended various festivals, made more friends by getting involved with the Filipino community and I taught the local children traditional Filipino dances that they often performed at festivals.

Between gardening and feeding our farm animals, I volunteered at our church, the local library and at my daughters’ school. I wanted to familiarise myself with the school system in Australia, so I assisted by reading books to the children and volunteering in the tuckshop.

Even though we were generating sufficient income from the farm, I felt that something was missing in my life. I wanted to explore the possibility of formal education so I enrolled in the Open Learning Institute of TAFE. I studied tourism and hospitality, which I found really interesting and the work seemed like great fun too.

Q: It sounds like you were already so busy before you started studying. How did you juggle life, study and exams as a mature-aged student?

A: The TAFE course was mostly self-paced study so there wasn’t too much pressure. The exams were supervised in Gympie around 6pm, so in the afternoons we would get the girls ready for the drive to Gympie, pack the station wagon, and fill their bags with refreshments, books and games to keep them entertained while they waited for me in the car park. It was like a picnic for them and my husband. They all thought it was a lot of fun.

Q: After studying tourism and hospitality, what prompted you to then consider accounting as a career choice?

A: When we moved to Bundaberg in 1993, I started working at the Brothers Sports Club and at the Tourism Board. These were good experiences but I found hospitality to be a really challenging industry. The work is often short-term and there are big highs and lows.

I started to think accounting would provide more stability, so I commenced a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) at the Central Queensland University. I was able to pursue this after completing the STEPs program at the Central Queensland University, which I undertook as a prerequisite for acquiring a university degree in Australia.

I soon realised that an accounting degree gave me the freedom of choice. There are a wide range of career opportunities to choose from – you can work in government, start a private practice, or work for a small entity or a large organisation, and the salaries are competitive. There is always something new to learn, such as changes in tax, superannuation and regulations. It's also a growing industry and every business needs an accountant. I finished my degree when I was 45 years old. It was a long process to get there but it was well worth it.

Q: Since graduating in 2008, you have held various positions at accounting firms including Innovative Capital Accountants and Property Management, before starting your own business as Managing Director of MTV08 Accountants. What’s one key lesson you’ve learnt in your career?

A: Volunteering creates many opportunities to build your network and develop your skills.

I’ve been involved in many not-for-profit organisations in the Bundaberg region, including with the Business Women's Network, which allowed me to meet many strong-willed successful business women in the region. I also developed skills as the Secretary of the Bundaberg and District Australian Filipino Association. Through these opportunities, I met people in the community who got to know me and knew I was studying accounting. It’s how I met many of my clients.

I also gained a wealth of experience through this community involvement. While I was studying tax in my degree, I was applying my learnings by helping with tax preparation at the Bundaberg Neighbourhood Centre. I was able to prepare tax returns without being a tax agent yet which was great.

I was always growing and learning as a volunteer and it gave me foundational skills that helped hugely in my professional work later on. I can’t recommend volunteering highly enough.

Self-confidence, perseverance and empathy are the key factors that helped me in all my volunteer and paid endeavours. Napoleon Hill said, “Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.”

Hear directly from the Federal Government and Opposition, followed by a robust panel discussion and audience Q&A. Register now to join virtually or face-to-face.