Off the Cuff

_{By | 24/11/2009 8:00:00 AM | 0 comments}

Garry Driscoll, Mortgage Ezy chief executive officer 

What was the last book you read?
The Rise and Rise of Kerry Packer Uncut by Paul Barry

If you did not live in Australia, where would you like to live?
Anywhere warm, near the ocean and away from the city. Thailand would be a good option.

If you could sit down to lunch with anyone you like, who would it be?
Lunch at Cocos in South Perth with The Bold Riders author Trevor Sykes; listening to stories about the corporate entities of the eighties, ex-ALP Senator Graham Richardson; as he could tell some great stories about the political goings on at the time, football commentator Dennis Cometti; who has a great sense of humour and turn of phrase, and Jill; my wife who really enjoys a good lunch.

What was the first job you ever had?
My first job was as a junior clerk for the National Australia Bank in Sale, Victoria. I had a fantastic old fashioned branch manager who taught me the value of being true to oneself.

What do you do to unwind?
I am a baseball umpire, and most weekends I am on the diamond somewhere around Brisbane. When you are standing behind the plate with a pitcher throwing 94 mph fastballs you must stay very focused, so all issues around work and business are forgotten for a few hours.

Also I like to spend time on the water with Jill and the boys catching a few fish.

What's the most extravagant gift you ever bought yourself?
I have never bought myself an extravagant gift. Maybe my kids are right when they say that I am ‘just tight’.

I recently bought myself a 5.5 meter Quintrex Centre Consol (fishing boat) - but I would not call it extravagant. I think it suits my personality - functional, practical it and gets the job done with a minimum of fuss.

What CD is currently playing in your car stereo?
Paul Kelly’s Songs from the south.

If you could give anyone starting out in business one piece of advice, what would it be?
Go hard and go early. The older you get the more you stand to lose and it is harder to take the big risks that are required to be a success in business. Every successful business owner I know has had to put everything on the line a few times in order to reach their goal.

If I was not working in the mortgage industry, I would like to be…?
…involved in sports administration. I have always been actively involved in sporting club committees and I get a real buzz about seeing people; especially kids, participating in all levels of sport.

Where was the last place you went on holiday?
Just got back from a couple of weeks in Vietnam.

What is the one thing most people would not know about you?
When I was a teenager I stuttered so badly that I never answered a question in the classroom and worked in the bank for six months before people realised that I never answered the phone.