This Week caught up recently with Campus Life’s Manager of Venue Operations (Sport and Recreation), Bruno Toppini. He answered more than ten questions so we’ll let him introduce himself!

I am originally from Brazil and grew up in Rio de Janeiro, which makes me a bit of a beach bum 😊 I came to Australia in 2008, straight after university, and have been working in the Sport and Recreation industry since. I started working at Macquarie University (U@MQ – Campus Life) in February 2019, in the Operations Manager role, which oversees the operations of the University Sports Facilities. It’s a very versatile and exciting role with a portfolio covering the Sport and Aquatic Centre (MUSAC), the University Sports Fields precinct, and a boat shed in Tambourine Bay that is used by our MQ Rowing Club.

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1. Something you’d like staff to know about
Stay tuned for the O Week activities that MQ Sport is preparing to run at the Central Courtyard and MUSAC. It’s going to be a lot of fun for the students and very different from what we’ve done in the past.

2. Something you feel proud of
Going through COVID has been a challenge for everyone and I am very proud of my Operations team members for being agile, adaptable and for supporting other University Campus areas. When most people were working from home during the lockdown, help was needed around Campus and my staff jumped right in (e.g. place QR code signage on all buildings around Campus).

3. A person you admire at Macquarie, and why
Nicole Gower. When Nicole was on the U@MQ Board, we all got to know Nicole a bit better. She always made it her business to connect with people in Campus Life and she was a strong advocate of what we do.

I had the pleasure to work more closely with Nicole in my short stint as a representative of the People and Services portfolio on the Health and Safety Committee and she was inspiring.

4. What you need to do your best work
Support and trust.

5. Something people usually ask you when they find out what you do for living
People always ask: Is the Uni gym only open to university students/staff? And I always say that we’re open to everybody and anyone is more than welcome to join and enjoy our facilities!

6. Something you’ve read recently that has had an impact on you
A quote from Marie Curie that I read at an article recently and really resonated with me and makes perfect sense during these COVID times. It goes like this:

Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.

7. A favourite photo from your camera roll
Definitely a photo of my son (when he was four years old) on Ipanema Beach (Rio de Janeiro), juggling a football. It puts a smile on my dial every time!

8. Your definition of success
Help other people around me to progress and better themselves. If I surround myself with good people they will always push me to get better.

9. The first person you go to for advice (and why)
My good friend and mentor, Marcio. He has been consistently helpful and honest no matter what.

10. A website or app you can’t live without (and why)
Weatherzone.com.au and Bureau of Meteorology. As boring as it sounds, I use it daily to know what the weather is doing so I can plan the University Sport Fields operations!

11. A personal quality you value in others
Integrity.

12. Something you’re trying to do differently in 2022
I plan on having more dinners together with my kids in 2022.

13. I’m happiest when…
I’m with my friends and family!

 

Please say hello to Bruno if you see him around campus! Come and visit the Sport and Aquatic Centre to check out the new membership options and new gym equipment.