It’s a universal truth that change is always guaranteed. Things will always happen that we cannot predict nor prepare for. And while it’s tempting to think of life’s curveballs as either good (happy announcements from loved ones, reaching into your pocket to find a forgotten $20 note, an unexpected win at work) or bad (rain clouds on a beach day, a dropped coffee, a project gone sideways)—change itself is not inherently anything except inevitable.
We all have moments when we instinctively try to resist change—to swim against the king tide. But when we choose to accept it and go with the flow, the currents can take us to amazing places. Bundaberg’s Anita Pollock knows this well.
Image: No two days are the same for Anita, ranging from packaging reports to the maintenance responsibilities of the office, she's the 'go-to' person.
Anita has been with us for 12 years. In this time, she has acted as Client Service Assistant within many divisions, including Business Insights, Audit, Strategic Planning, and Human Resources Consulting [the latter two have since been retired]. She’s been our backup Corporate Compliance Officer, Personal Assistant to Daryl Corpe (a role she still embodies today), and more recently, she’s come on board the Corporate Services team as Operations and Project Coordinator.
With a rich and varied work history, it may come as a surprise that Anita hasn’t always felt at ease with change.
“There was a time where I didn’t like change at all. I hated things getting thrown on me. I just couldn’t cope with it,” Anita said.
“But now, I’ve reached a place where I accept it,” she said.
“There’s things that will always be out of your control. You just have to roll with it. Something’s happened, so how are we going to fix it? What needs to happen now? [These questions] have just become a normal part of it all.”
Reflecting on how she’s grown to embrace change across her journey with Ulton, Anita refers to her experience taking part in Ulton’s Venturer Program (which has since been retired).
“A group of us were nominated and those selected were sent over to New Zealand. We fitness trained for 6 months beforehand to take on hiking, camping, whitewater rafting, e-biking—the lot,” said Anita.
“It was one of the hardest and most rewarding things I have ever done,” she said.
“It made me see the value of accepting change, putting in the hard work, and being rewarded for it,” she said.
Embracing the art of going with the flow isn’t only reserved for her professional life. Anita carries this through to her personal life, too. And with on-the-go sons Kain (13) and Trey (14) and outdoor enthusiast husband Carlin, this is important.
“Carlin works away for work, so whenever he’s home, he wants to get outside and do something,” said Anita.
“He loves fishing, camping, hunting, crabbing, motorbikes—all of that,” she said.
While Anita confesses that in the early days, she only used to come along on fishing trips to spend time with Carlin, she’s come to genuinely love these experiences for the quality time and unforgettable moments they’ve gifted her family.
Image: Anita catching her first 'decent' Barramundi at King Ash Bay (2023)
Anita holds all their family getaways—big and small—close to her heart.
“The adventures we’ve had are some of my fondest memories,” she said.
“We’ve done a three-week trip up to Cape York where we slept in swags. We’ve done multiple trips to Cardwell where we’ve just rented a house, taken our boat, and fished for a week.”
“King Ash Bay was another good one—we rented and lived on a houseboat there for 10 days.”
“Carlin is a great fisherman, and all these experiences he’s given me and the kids by taking us to all these amazing spots with all these huge fish… it’s just great,” said Anita.
Image L-R: Carlin, Kain, Anita and Trey enjoying Mary Kathleen located in the Selwyn Range between Mount Isa and Cloncurry (2023)
Anita loves visiting these ‘nowhere places’ as she calls them, for the way these trips force everyone to pause and simply be in the moment.
“[Out there], you have to stop. You’re in the middle of nowhere. You can’t go anywhere,” she said.
“This does mean that if you’re not prepared, you’re screwed,” she said with a laugh.
“But it’s just lovely. On our trip to the Bay, there were days when I’d just stay back on the boat to read and relax. It just makes you slow down and appreciate what you have,” said Anita.
For Anita, embracing change isn’t just about adapting to life’s twists and turns, it’s about uncovering the opportunities that lie beyond them—opportunities like reeling in her first barramundi, rafting down New Zealand’s wild rivers, and the fulfilment that comes from being the person her colleagues know they can turn to in their time of need.
Her story reminds us that the tides of change, though sometimes daunting, can take us to places better than we ever imagined—if only we let them.
“It all comes back to my boys. They are why I do everything. Though, if I’m having a real moment, eating Skittles under my desk helps."
“I would start my trip around Australia. I want to go everywhere. Carlin and I have been together since we were 16 and it’s always been our dream—to go exploring and see all these places we’ve never seen before. Once the kids are old enough, we’ll do it!”
“When it’s all feeling chaotic, write it down. Once it’s all down in front of you, then you can figure out how to tackle it."