Odette graduated from Frankston High School in 1980 and initially studied Primary Teaching before deciding this career wasn’t for her and completing the exam available at the time that enabled entry to the Commonwealth Public Service. Apart from a brief stint working at EY, Odette has spent her entire career working in the public service including with the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, but majority with ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission). Odette has worked across a broad range of roles and in a variety of teams throughout her career; she retired in 2023 having most recently been Senior Administrator with the Financial Services Regulation arm of ASIC. Odette now volunteers for the Federal Member for Dunkley, Jodie Belyea & Al-Anon Family Groups (a not for profit organisation).

Odette spoke to Year 11 students in 2024 about her career pathway and experience working in the public service.