Connected Conversations | Tony Cambareri
An interest in science since childhood led Tony Cambareri to an early career in medical research and after a brief period away Tony’s heart led him back to health where he has worked over the last thirty years.
He worked his way up into leadership roles at IMVS (now SA Pathology) before returning to the university ten years ago where he has made a significant contribution while managing several schools, working on the establishment of SAiGENCI, and currently in the role of Faculty Executive Director.
Tony has carved out a career enabling research and teaching and enjoys seeing the success and rewards of our student’s and colleague’s hard work.
Please tell us your name and a little bit about yourself.
I’m Tony Cambareri. I was born in Adelaide with Italian and Australian heritage. My dad migrated from Italy soon after WWII and my mum is Adelaide-born with her parents both Salvation Army Officers. Her father passed away when she was only six years old.
I am first generation in our family, along with my sister, to have the privilege of tertiary education, and will forever value the opportunities given to me through the support of my mum and dad.
I chose a path in health as a scientist as I have always been driven to understand how things work and then how to improve them. My early work in health research taught me a great deal about perseverance, rigour, integrity and care, and it influences my work and personal life to this day.
Tell us a bit about your time at the University.
I’ve been at the University for over 10 years. In my current role as Faculty Executive Director, I’m responsible for overall operation of the Faculty to support the Executive Dean, Heads of Schools and the broader Faculty leadership. I guide the operations to meet financial and operational outcomes that optimise the core businesses of the University (teaching and research), making decisions where needed to meet the financial and operational priorities of the University.
What has been your journey to get where you are today?
My original desire was to be a biomedical research scientist and I started a PhD in Leukaemia Research straight from honours in the mid-eighties.
Part way through the degree, I had second thoughts about this career path and moved out of the University to work in corporate superannuation. This move taught me much about management, leadership and business operations, but turned out not to be an area of long-term interest to me.
My former PhD supervisor had a change of role and needed a lab manager to operate her large research lab, and I moved back into health research in the IMVS (now SA Pathology). This move helped crystallise my place in health research, and I chose to carve out a career enabling research.
As part of this, I initiated a new PhD candidature, completing it part time whilst working, and eventually joining the leadership team for a very research active Division of the IMVS.
I was at the IMVS for 19 years before getting an opportunity to move back to the University as a School Manager in the School of Medical Sciences. Through various restructures and movements, I have been School Manager for the Dental School and then the newly merged School of Medicine (at the time it united Medical Sciences, O&G and General Practice). I then moved into the role of Research Development Manager for the Faculty, spent some time in the Division of Research & Innovation to help design and establish SAiGENCI, and have been in the role of Faculty Executive Director for nearly three years now.
This last move presented the biggest challenges. Within weeks of being selected as the successful candidate, but before starting the role, a major organisational restructure was announced, and the faculty team including my role changed dramatically. Change fatigue for colleagues is a constant challenge, but working with highly intelligent and self-motivated people who have incredible resilience has been so rewarding despite the constant challenges and change.
What has been your career highlight, to date?
I have mentored a number of colleagues over time and the highlight has been watching them develop and flourish. Their success has sometimes meant they have left the organisation, but they remain colleagues and collaborators to myself and the University.
What do you love most about working at the University of Adelaide?
The best part of the job is seeing staff or students take on hard things, succeed at them and learn from the experience. Given my roots in research, it is also a highlight watching research academics exceptional conviction being rewarded when they produce ‘that paper’ or win ‘that grant’.
Who (or what) inspires you?
I am inspired by anyone who is selfless and driven to serve.
What is the best decision you have ever made? Or -– if it’s more interesting! -– the worst?
The best decision I made was to return to work in health thirty years ago. Being immersed in a workforce where the intention is continual improvement to lift the health and wellbeing of all members of the community gives me the best reason for the effort invested, the challenges faced, the disappointments experienced and the success achieved.
What is your favourite thing about living in Adelaide?
Adelaide is a beautiful city in a beautiful state. The weather is rarely humid, nothing takes too long to get to, the food is great, the beaches are lovely, and it is still relatively green with trees! As I commute ride a lot of the year, the fact that it is flat and has the linear park tracks is brilliant. The magpies do pose an issue in spring, and I have some helmet scars to remember them!
My free time is spent supporting and socialising with family and friends. This has meant a lot of weekends watching music and sports, doing renovations or enjoying hospitality.
I have enjoyed tennis, squash and surfing as sports, and I commute by bike to work for more than half of each year.
What’s something that people are surprised to find out about you?
I used to weigh a lot less……
What do you hope to be doing in 10 years’ time?
Be able to see more of Australia and still be healthy.
What do you do on your commute to/from work?
When driving, listening to news on the radio to keep up with current affairs and complaining a lot about my fellow drivers and my views of their skill levels….. When riding, enjoying the isolation, but being ever conscious of the surrounding drivers’ skill levels while avoiding the magpie swoop zones in spring along linear park.