Adventurer, sportsman, businessman, family man and very obviously a man that loves a challenge. At eighty-one and a half (Leon proudly expressed that half) he is very active, playing golf and table tennis weekly and can still be found riding horses on occasion.
Born in Ascot Vale, Leon is a country boy at heart. His family moved to farmland ‘a couple of miles city side of Dandenong’, agisting racehorses when he was young and his early working life was in regional Victoria.
First job led to a world adventure
The Commonwealth Bank gave Leon his start and a skill set he could utilise throughout his working life. After several years with the bank, and moving around as they liked to do with staff – Leon at the age of 21 with ‘500 quid’ in his pocket took off to see the world. Working in banks in England and Canada before coming back to Australia after 18 months away.
Then a 50 year career in real estate
Settling back in Geelong, Leon got a start with Cuthbertson’s, a well-known family run agency. ‘I was a jack of all trades and hands on with everything, I got to experience pretty much every aspect of real estate from a practical perspective. I spent 35 years working for Cuthbertson’s before buying the business and running it with a partner for the next 15 years.
‘Real estate was a different world then, lots of family businesses. The name on the shingle was the name of the person who ran the business, and agencies often worked together, unlike the competitive way things are run today. The industry wasn’t regulated back then and there were some less than desirable practices going on with “weekend cowboys” out spruiking and selling land before going back to their real jobs during the week. Not a great look for the industry.’
Working on the industry, not just in it
‘Early on at Cuthbertson’s we had a visit from a representative of the Real Estate Salesmans Association from Melbourne. Concerned with what was going on in the industry and looking to raise the standard it struck a chord with me.
Invited to Melbourne to learn more, I became a committee member on their board and ultimately State President of the union. There were many interesting experiences sitting in on cases in the arbitration and conciliation commission and representing members. It was a significant time for the industry, setting down professional standards and developing an award and mandatory education requirements – goodbye “weekend cowboys”.’
At the same time as a member of Geelong APEX and interested in local affairs, Leon was elected as a Councillor to the shire of south Barwon and after two years became Shire President.
Having studied and obtained his own real estate licence, he became involved with the Geelong REIV branch – for many years as Secretary and then elected to the REIV Board, and ultimately in 1997 he became the State President.
‘This was a terrific time for me but it could never have happened without the support and backing of my wife Stephanie and my business partner. So many fond memories, like when I used to take a sleeping bag with me to the offices in Melbourne. The institute would have paid for a hotel, but it was more practical on the couch in the president’s room. The cleaner used to wake me early in the morning with a cup of tea and I’d get up and freshen up in the men’s dressing room to start the day.’
Sold the business and put a lump sum into super
Not quite the retiring type, Leon sold the real estate business in 2008 but continued managing body corporates. Just 40 groups to begin with but ballooning out to 154 groups by 2012. This time selling up and retiring full time.
‘I was lucky at that time to be able to put a good amount into super; the rules were different then and that put me in a good position. I wouldn’t say I’m a wealthy man but I am comfortable. My super pension gives me a tax-free monthly payment and I can access a lump sum any time I need. Returns have been up and down over the years but is still a good return on my investment. This year was one out of the box which prompted me to write to our new CEO and congratulate him and the Board on the result. I was delighted to hear back from the Chair and CEO soon after.’
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