We all know no day is the same, but what does ‘a day in the life’ as the CEO of DYRSL look like?
Every day is different – from chatting to members on the floor to working on new developments and amenities for the members. It’s very diverse, challenging and rewarding.
What do you love the most about your role?
What I love most about my role is the people – from the staff, to the members, to the visitors who become members after seeing our club.
This might be hard to narrow down, but can you share your favourite moment from the past 30 years?
That’s actually easy! There are 30 of them – it’s every ANZAC Day. My favourite day. A day to respect, reflect and be proud. It moves me every year.
What advice would you give to someone starting their career in this industry?
Remember that Clubs aren’t about bricks and mortar. They aren’t about Bistros or Auditoriums or Bars. Clubs are about people, about communities, about creating relationships and bonds.
What has been your biggest challenge, and how did you overcome it?
There have been a few, but I would say that managing Covid was right up there. Walking around a closed Club was eerie, somewhat soul destroying because we aren’t a Club without people in it. Our members had lost their second home. The hardest was the staff – dealing with people’s jobs and livelihoods is an onerous but essential responsibility. I lost a lot of sleep through those times.
We got through it because we had a great team who cared about our staff and our members – calling them daily to check in that they were OK. I’m extremely proud of the way the entire team stepped up.
If you could go back and give your younger self advice on your first day at DYRSL, what would it be?
Don’t sweat the small stuff. Decide what are the important pillars in your work and your life and concentrate on those.
If you could swap roles with any employee for a day, who would it be and why?
While any role here would be rewarding, if I had to choose, I’d say working on reception. That way, I could personally welcome members to their wonderful Club.
What’s the funniest thing to happen to you/or that you experienced during your time here?
Well, at my interview 30 years ago, I came out of the old Pittwater Road entrance only to find my car had been stolen! You can imagine my shock. So, I went back into the Club to explain, and they asked where I parked it. I said I managed to get a very convenient parking spot straight across the street on Pittwater Road. Hardly able to suppress their laughter, they explained I had parked it in a clearway, and my car would have been towed around the corner. Coming from the country, I had never heard of a clearway! I still got the job.
If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would you go and why?
France or Italy. I’ve never been and I would love to immerse myself in the culture.
What is your favourite drink?
The cocktails in Courtyard are delightful but it’s hard to go past an ice cold beer in Battery House.
What is your go-to meal at DYRSL?
An Eye Fillet steak from Bistro or Battery House – always sensational!
Tell us something we wouldn’t know about you…
I’m such a massive Keith Urban fan that many years ago, I bought his autographed (I’m sure that’s true!) guitar and song lists through a telemarketed online offer. I even got music to learn to play his songs. However, I still can’t play the guitar.
What are some of your hobbies outside of work?
I like golf, going to galleries and watching live music.
Who is your hero?
I have two – my daughters Chloe and Rachael. Both confident, intelligent and caring women. As we get older we have become more friends than father/daughter. I seek their counsel often. Quite simply, they inspire me.