I called the Hotel Cecil home in the 70's and 80's. I loved living in the middle of Southport. It was so busy and everything I wanted I could get to by walking there! The pub has changed considerably but my family still calls division 6 home. My school (firstly Southport Kindergarten followed by Guardian Angels then later Star of the Sea College) up the road, books for school across the road from Symons, records from Tolmies, King Sandwiches and double thickshakes from Dairy King out the back through the carpark, sporting equipment from Thomson & Watt two doors up, a haircut from Dezli's next to them......and everyone used to say hello and knew your name. Later there was rollerskating in the streets and though the Bulletin Arcade and then many fun Saturday afternoons with friends at the popular Skaters Paradise in Bay Street. I had the best life. Everyone I knew was envious that I lived in the thick of the action! . |
I did leave home for a while of course! I went to Brisbane. I started my hospitality career at the Mayfair Crest International Hotel. Then I moved down to Sydney as their New South Wales Sales Executive and joined the Traveleague of New South Wales (Treasurer 1989 & 1990 and at the time I was the youngest office bearer in history at 19) and the Marketing Association of Australia and New Zealand (also the youngest professional member at the time.) When the hotel changed hands, I decided to move on. For a couple of years, I tried my hand at acting. I was "doing the hard yards" in a Leagues Club and a couple of local pubs and studying full time (pictured - The Actor's Centre, 1992). It was a lot of fun and I went to a lot of auditions and did some extra work but I wasn't mean to starve for my art so I went back into hospitality management after graduating . After running establishments in the inner west and east of Sydney, I decided to return home. After a stint at Movieworld (one of my jobs was singing in a lunchtime show as "Mae West" ) and then managing a club in Surfers Paradise for while, I went to Japan. I taught English for assorted schools and did odd acting/voice over jobs for several years. I got married and had a wonderful daughter (pictured). I spent 7 years living and working in Tokyo but my dad was dying and my mum was caring for him at home in Southport so I returned with my daughter. |
Despite a tremendous battle, my dad passed away soon after (11th November 2003) and we had buried my brother, Tony, the year before so that meant that my mum would be alone. My mum was happy here and I decided to stay and support her rather then return to Tokyo. My daughter was enrolled in school and I became the Treasurer of the Parents & Friends Association of the Special Developmental Unit at Musgrave State School for the next two years.
I was approached by Griffith University to assist in their fundraising activities in Dad's name. So began The Peter Gallagher Memorial Fund and my long association with Griffith University. I continued to raise funds and friends for the university's ground breaking research and community projects for several years until I moved from the administration division to work in academia in the Griffith Business School while pursing further study. I was tutoring and lecturing for several years there while I finished my undergraduate degree and then my dissertation - which I am proud to say earned me a First Class A in the Honours program. I went on to acquire a Graduate Diploma in Education and a Masters in Educational Studies from the University of Queensland. I am the Managing Director of a small, local NDIS registered provider called Own 2 Feet. Please feel free to check us out https://www.own2feet.com.au/ |