One of the things we love at Gilton Valeo is knowing that we are responsible for shaping the careers of our team members. The employee/employer relationship is of utmost importance and we strive to provide a caring and innovative environment that fosters teamwork, excellence, and personal evolution.
On that note, here’s a little Q&A with some of our newest recruits!
Alex Foo
Why did you become a lawyer?
Initially, many moons ago, it would have come down to a combination of the influence of the then had me hooked TV series LA Law, getting the marks in high school to get into law school, and also the belief that through the law I could provide benefit to our community. My second time around, however, there’s no more TV influence, those marks don’t matter now, but the motivation still remains that through the law and work as a lawyer I can do my part in providing benefit to our community.
The best part of your job?
The best part of working at GV is knowing that the work we do changes lives. On a daily basis, I get to help bring talented people into this amazing country to make it even more amazing, re-connect families and generally help give people a chance at calling one of the best countries on earth – home.
If you could write a book about your life, what would the title be and why?
Up until this point in my life it would have to be titled “The Road Home”. As once I was away and now I am home.
What advice would you give to your teenage self?
Trust your instincts.
Favourite food?
Variety is the spice of life so they say, but to narrow it down it would be Aussie seafood, street food from a vendor with a perpetual queue or anything that comes out of my mum’s kitchen!
What do you do to turn things around when you’re having a bad day?
Sit back, close my eyes, take a deep breath (or many), and know that I’m still here.
What energizes you outside of work?
That would definitely be my 4 year old and family life.
What’s a trip that changed you, and why?
I decided to take my gap year and backpack Asia after many years working straight after university. I ended up in a place called Kunming in China, where I remained for over a decade. Here I discovered my ethnic roots, learnt a language from scratch, and got to indulge and even make a living from a couple of passions of mine – food and music. This trip changed my outlook on what might actually be out there if you just take the path less trodden.
What’s one of your favourite memories from the past year?
It was one strange year last year with the pandemic and all that it brought. However, I did have a good moment that stemmed from the turmoil. It was from the first lockdowns and being locked in together with wife and daughter, and wondering if the world was going to end as the toilet paper disappeared from Woolie’s shelves, then deciding if it is we may as well make the most of it. Needless to say, those few weeks were quality time with family that I’ll forever cherish.
Who would play you in a movie about your life?
Tom Hanks. The movie roles he’s had in his career are almost as varied as mine!
Monique Mazzarolo
Why did you become a lawyer?
I became a lawyer, quite simply, to help people. My first idea of how to do that, wasn’t by becoming a lawyer, however. I completed a Bachelor’s degree in International Development and sought to help others through aid and relief work. My interest in the law reared its head after taking an International Law subject during that degree and realising it was my favourite subject of the course so far. I decided to continue studying and study law. I received my Juris Doctor and decided the legal field would be the route I would take to help create sustainable change in the world.
The best part of your job?
I think the best part of my job is assisting others. I love communicating with people and being there to help assist someone through something which may be overwhelming or stressful for them to tackle alone.
If you could write a book about your life, what would the title be and why?
I think the title would be: Caught in contemplation. Lawyers are usually analytical by default, but that childish questioning “but why?” mentality has really stuck with me, despite now being a grown woman.
What advice would you give to your teenage self?
I would tell my teenage self to take life a little less seriously, you are not supposed to have all the answers as a teenager. You have plenty of time to be serious, enjoy spending time with your friends and family.
Favourite food?
My favourite food at the moment is a perfectly made woodfire Margherita Pizza. Although you could ask me tomorrow and it may change. I am very adventurous with my food and love trying different cuisines.
What do you do to turn things around when you’re having a bad day?
When I’m having a bad day I try to take a few moments to ground myself, this may be a little hard to do though if you’re in an atmosphere where you don’t have a few quiet moments. I try to sit with the emotions I am feeling, acknowledge them, and then practice a little gratitude to get myself out of that negative emotion. If that doesn’t work, I find a little breathwork can ease some of the tension I may be feeling. This can be done with as little as 3 conscious deep breaths.
What energizes you outside of work?
I love the outdoors, if I’m not working you can find me either at the beach or on a walk. I love spending time with my friends and family also, so a perfect weekend for me is spent with loved ones outside. I also love to keep active so playing basketball weekly energizes me too.
What’s a trip that changed you, and why?
The first overseas trip I took, which was a global education school trip to Vietnam. We learnt about the country over our two-week stay, visited orphanages in some of the cities and met wonderful welcoming people. I had never seen a country like Vietnam before, I thought it was absolutely beautiful. Even the chaotic streets exposed a version of reality I had not experienced before. It opened my eyes to an experience outside of my normal day-to-day life and gave me the strongest desire to travel as much as I could, to see the world through other perspectives.
What’s one of your favourite memories from the past year?
Definitely getting to travel to Singapore and spend some time with my family there. I got a trip in right before COVID-19 became apparent and appreciate that trip even more now, knowing it could be a while until we are able to travel so freely again.
Who would play you in a movie about your life?
I would love to say Audrey Hepburn. Although the resemblance is non-existent, I think we share a lot of the same values. For example some of my favourite quotes of hers are; “people, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed; never throw out anyone” and “as you grow older you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.”
