Meegan – Switch Motion

What’s your favourite place on the Northern Beaches?
Hugo’s at Manly Wharf – summarizes destination Manly, in Sydney.

Is there something about you that would surprise people?
I’m one of six kids, who spent a large amount of time on the family farm, milking cows and shearing sheep, in outback South Australia.

It’s Sunday afternoon, where do we find you?
At home, with wine and cheese, on my laptop planning the week ahead.

If you were down to your last $50 what would you spend it on?
I’d fill up the car with petrol and drive to the Hawkesbury River….

Business

How did Switch Motion happen?  
I realised that local businesses need help with advice and information, to integrate between council and their commercial operations.

Best business experience?
Rebranding the Manly Visitor Information Centre. Previously run by Council, we flipped this to Hello Manly Booking and Information Centre. Reduced the running costs and made it a viable operation for all stakeholders. The opening was especially challenging – It happened on a long weekend, in school holidays, during the jazz festival, with a conference for the hearing impaired in town. Amongst other things I am grateful for – I know sign language.

If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing?
Travelling the world on a motorbike, extending a previous trip undertaken from London to Italy.

Best part of your job or most enjoyable part of your job?
Connecting people and fixing problems.

Most stressful part of your job?
The politics, alongside the expectation of being available 24/7, when you live and work locally.

Weirdest thing that has ever happened at work?
In a previous role at the QVB, we bought the ‘cow parade’ to Sydney. Logistically challenging.

What’s the best part of working on the Northern Beaches? Why’d you chose to work here?
If need be, I’ll head to work in my active wear, enjoy a swim at lunch time and ride my Vespa to work.. Plus, seeing the water every day has a calming effect on me.

Personal

What would you rate 10/10?
Accessibility to nature in Manly. You can walk, hike, mountain bike ride, snorkel, swim with waves (or without). I love that there are options depending on your skill and fear factor.

What is the best advice you’ve received?
You are worth it. What’s the best thing that’s happened to you this week? This week, I had a super large, 20hr working day, but happily came home to find a precious piece of lost jewellery, plus a message from my brother and my best friend, both announcing pregnancies.

Greatest strength?
My energy and determination.

Greatest weakness?
I can’t say no.

Does anything scare you?
Deep open water.

What’s your most treasured possession?
My family.

What’s your idea of absolute happiness?
Sitting at the Hawkesbury, wakeboarding with my girlfriends, with bubbles in-hand.

Which two famous people would you choose to be stuck in a lift with?
The Pope and Elvis.

What travel experiences are on your bucket list?
Skiing Japan, Trekking Canada, Motorcycling Cambodia

How do you switch off?
Handstands and arm wrestles

What’s your guilty pleasure?
Cheese, in particular Daffinois

Who’s your personal hero?
My dad, who is 80 and still working. He has had limited hearing all of his life, so has been very switched on and active on social media. This gives him the opportunity to keep in touch with his 6 kids and 13 grandkids, spread out over the country. He is also the ultimate proof reader, I still send him my work projects, leaning on his previous skill- set as a school principal.

If you were an animal, what would you be?
Lion, it comes with the Leo starsign….
 
How would you like to be remembered?
Real is rare….