LIFE IN THE SUNSHINE

Q Outside of moving for the improved climate, why did you make your way to the Gold Coast?

A When I got married to Cynthia in 1969, we spent our honeymoon on the Gold Coast and we loved the place. Within six months of getting married we moved. I couldn’t get a licence unless I was a permanent resident and I actually bought the place next door (to the current Broadbeach Waters property). Gold Coast brought in Saturday racing in 1971 and I was granted an interstate bookmaker’s licence.

Q You weren’t here long when you and other bookmakers banded together to save the Gold Coast Turf Club from financial ruin. What happened with all that?

A They were in trouble financially in the 1970s and they came to the bookmakers and said, ‘can you help us out?’. We produced quite a bit of money to help bail them out. Other businesses came on board and it was probably seven or eight years before they came good and paid us back out.