Nigel Halligan | Events Projects Manager, Events and Protocol, Campus Life

How long have you been at Macquarie?
I have been here four years now, although this is my second stint, having worked here back in 2006.

How do you get to campus?
I drive it in 10 minutes. It’s not far, but the bus takes an hour.

What is your favourite thing about working at Macquarie?
The campus itself. You can really appreciate it after spending a couple of days training in the madness of the city.

Favourite place to spend a spare five minutes at Macquarie?
I love dropping into the Art Gallery when I’m in E11A. It’s always a nice experience.

What are the biggest misconceptions about your profession?
That operations and catering are ‘the help’, which can’t be further from the truth.

In your job, what question are you most often asked?
Students asking, “Can we do this?” I like “Yes!” to be the answer 90% of the time.

If you weren’t an Event Project Manager, what would you do?
I would love to be an Olympic swimmer.

What was your earliest childhood career aspiration?
I really wanted to be an actor, but I had an awful habit of forgetting lines.

Favourite film, book or TV show?
Gladiator -  I don’t know how many times I have watched it. I’ve also just finished The True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey – a great read.

What is the piece of technology you can’t live without?
My iPhone. Even though I try not to be, I am slightly addicted. Although I am yet to walk into a lamppost!

What would you want to learn if given the chance to learn it instantly?
I would love to study zoology so I could have Sir David Attenborough’s job.

Something not many people know about me is …
I used to be a chef; something I still have a huge passion for. Being cooped up in a kitchen isn’t a good place for a person so I made the escape many years ago.

What were you doing before you started these questions?
I was planning a social event for my colleagues.