Professor Lorne Cummings has a very distinguished and varied academic record, having held several leadership roles at Macquarie Business School and Macquarie University more broadly over his 25-year career, including Associate Dean – Research, Associate Dean – Higher Degree Research, and Head of Department. Lorne is a professional accountant (FCPA and CA), and his area of research expertise is International Financial Reporting Standards and Sustainability Accounting. Lorne has also been actively engaged in the development and delivery of professional development programs, and University outreach activities.
The Weekly Wrap caught up with Lorne and here are his answers to our light-hearted questions.
Where do we find you this weekend?
Packing my car with stuff and heading to Canberra to settle in ready to commence my first day at the University of Canberra.
What’s the ideal start to a Sunday? Gentle start or a jolt?
An early start most weeks and definitely gentle on my mind.
What’s the best thing you’ve watched on TV recently?
I love current affairs shows, but also recently saw the first Back to the Future movie again after many years. A pitch perfect movie for me that explores to what extent your current reality would change if you could go back in time and just tweak a couple of small events in your past. Are our lives solely the result of choices (often random) that we make or is there a sense of pre-destiny for who we are to become.
A glass of something you’d recommend?
Whatever your drinking, at the mid-point always see the glass as half full never half empty.
What’s that you’re singing in the shower?
Raindrops keep falling on my head.
Soundtrack of your choice?
Saturday Night Fever
Best vacation you’ve been to?
With my Nana and Pa on the Bellarine Peninsula in Victoria when I was about 8-9. Lots of TLC, ice-creams and their silky terrier 'Titch' by our side.
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us.
I am not really a guy of surprises. What you see is what you get. I suppose I ride a Harley, if that surprises. Am a minimalist and a neat freak.
The ideal dinner menu?
Seafood Buffet
Ideal dinner venue?
Al Mahara Underwater Restaurant, Dubai
Spring, summer, autumn or winter?
Spring is renewal and brings forth new life, new hope. The sights and smells always enlighten the senses.
What did you want to be when you grew up when you were a kid?
8 = Fireman, 10 = Astronaut, 15 = Computer service technician, 18 = I realised I am more suited to being an Accountant. In some ways we should never really grow up. Despite the experiences of life that harden and shape us as we get older and separate us from our core, we should always retain the fire, spirit and wonder of our childhood throughout our life.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard?
Our purpose in life is to be needed and to help others. It's so much more enjoyable to be needed than to be needy.
What would you do with your time if you didn’t have to work?
I would have to find something to work on. Work not only gives us purpose but also a sense of identity.
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