In this week’s Get to know: Q&A with…we chat with John Cozzolino, Team Leader at Payroll Services.

What is your coffee order?

As a born Neapolitan, I can’t go past an espresso using the flip coffee pot.

What does a typical work day look like for you?

My day starts early, at 3 am. I’ve been passionate about health and fitness from a young age, so I’m off to the local 24 hour fitness centre for an hour session, then back home to take the dog for a run.

I typically start work at 7.30 am. My role is deadline driven, so I have to organise my time and prioritise workload efficiently and effectively. Also, tackling any new challenges the day may bring is part of the usual day.

Tell us about your Northern Health journey? 

My journey at Northern Health started in October 2001. Prior to this, I was working for the Royal Children’s Hospital for twelve years.

As a resident of the north, I was looking for something closer to home and applied for a role in the Human Resources Department.

My role is partly payroll related, where I aid in maintaining the payroll master file and at the same time, work closely with the Melbourne Health Payroll Department.

When I arrived in 2001, Northern Health had 2,400 employees. Today, we have approximately 5,200 employees. The growth has been incredible and exciting for Northern Health.

Now, after 18 plus years, we begin another amazing, new journey of having payroll services in-house from mid July 2019. Exciting times!

Can you tell us a bit about your career before starting at Northern?

After completing accounting studies, I applied for a payroll position at the Royal Children’s Hospital. I spent twelve years there and my first role was as a Payroll Administrator. I then successfully moved into a team leader/manager role. I was also lucky enough to be seconded to North West Hospital, formerly Mount Royal, as Payroll Manager for nine months. In October 2001, I decided to move on and begin employment with Northern Health in the Human Resources Department.

What is your greatest achievement or favourite memory since working here?

There have been many tasks to be proud of over the years, and would’ve only been achieved by working and collaborating as a team with my colleagues.

On a personal note, commitment to Northern Health for 18 years is my biggest achievement.

How would you describe Northern Health in one sentence?

Playing a vital role in providing care for the growing demand of acute illness and injury.

What are some things people don’t know about you?

When it comes to music, I’m a fan of pop and dance music and have a love for classical and listening to solo piano. Mum wasn’t a fan of classical music, so dad would drag me along to concerts from an early age – which I agreed because I knew gelati was on the cards after the concert.

From the age of nine, I wasn’t a fan of some Italian home meals like pasta e piselli (peas), pasta e fagioli (beans), pasta e broccoli.

Pasta was with everything! Give me a meat pie, sausage role or hot dog anytime.

Ask me if I love those meals now – absolutely!

What do you like to do after work?

I’m an early starter, so not much happens after work during the week. I touch base with mum over the phone, prep dinner and dedicate time to my pets. I’m a crazy sports fan, so I catch up on sports, both with AFL (Collingwood) and my home town Napoli football club.

Do you have a bucket list item? Something you would love to do?

My dad wanted to travel the Glacier Express train through the Alps together.

He became terminally ill, so we never had the chance to take the trip.

This one is on my list!

Who would you nominate next for a staff profile and why?

Roger Nicholls. Roger employed me back in 2001 and was my mentor for 13 years. As the Director of Corporate Governance, Roger continues to play a major role for Northern Health.