Trevelee Deutschmann
Senior Document Controller, for Queensland Rail in Brisbane, Australia
Can you tell us a bit about you?
I was born and raised in South Africa, growing up in a rural setting where my love of horses began at a young age - sparked memorably when my father returned from a cattle sale with a white pony for me! I competed in showjumping, showing, and equitation throughout my school years, and again later after returning to South Africa from overseas travel.
After finishing school, I moved to London to complete my studies and begin my career in information technology. While living in London, I took up cycling with work colleagues, which soon led to memorable adventures competing in triathlon and cycling events across Europe.
I am now based on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia, where I live with my two giant South African mastiffs, my partner, and his four children.
My partner is a cattle farmer, so our time is divided between the coast during the working week and the farms on weekends.
Weekends are often a busy mix of attending AFL matches (Australian Football League) as my partner’s eldest daughter is a rockstar AFL player, and then heading straight to the farms to look after the cattle and spend time riding the horses with my two eldest stepdaughters. We also try to find time to fit in our new passion for Pickleball, as my partner and I are competing in our first Pickleball competition this year.
What is your current role?
My current role is Senior Document Controller, for Queensland Rail, in Brisbane, Australia.
Can you describe your professional experience?
My background and formal training are in the analysis, design, and management of information systems. Following university, I worked in the telecommunications and television industry as a Business Systems Analyst, and later as a junior IT project manager.
After returning to South Africa, I assisted with the configuration of a software system for a construction company working on government projects. This role transitioned into a project coordinator position within the construction sector, which I held for several years. During this period, I also took approximately five years away from full-time employment to establish and run my own equine stables, where I trained horses and competed in showjumping.
I sold the stables upon relocating to Australia. My first role on a major Australian construction project was on a rail upgrade project, where I supported procurement and contracts activities. Through this position, I became increasingly involved in Document Control and subsequently stepped into the role of Document Controller for the project. My training in this area was largely on the job, supported by a senior engineering manager and complemented by self directed online training in the project Document Control system.
I am currently the Senior Document Controller on the Rail Upgrade project, which is scheduled to be completed within the next two years.
Which Consepsys course did you attend and when?
I attended the Certified Document Controller course in August 2025, and I enrolled in the Advanced Document Control course for March 2026.
What did you think about the course? How did it help you in your current role and career development?
The course was very well presented, engaging, and thoughtfully structured. The four‑hour‑per‑day format fit seamlessly into my existing work routine, allowing me to participate fully with minimal disruption to my day‑to‑day responsibilities.
I found the course invaluable in reinforcing the knowledge I had already gained through on‑the‑job experience, while also providing clear and detailed explanations of why Document Control and information management practices are carried out in particular ways. It also introduced me to new subject areas that I had not yet encountered in previous roles, broadening my overall understanding of the discipline.
As I work within a government department, it was reassuring to see that our established procedures are already built on sound information management principles. The course has significantly strengthened my confidence in applying and enforcing current procedures. It has also enabled me to speak with greater authority on Document Control and information management matters across the organisation.
The solid foundation provided by the course has motivated me to continue developing my skills, and as a result, I have enrolled in the Advanced Document Control course scheduled for March 2026. I would like to progress to the Certified Lead Document Controller course after this.
I would highly recommend the Certified Document Controller course to all Document Controllers, as well as any project team members who are responsible for managing large volumes of controlled documents.
Interview date: January 2026
