focusinterview.
special edition
Scott Geddes. Scott Geddes, franchisee of Harvey Norman Electrical, moved to Armidale in 2009. He remembers receiving a warm welcome on arrival and found his feet by supporting local sporting teams. hat is your position at Harvey Norman, and how long have you been with the Armidale store? I have been with Harvey Norman for 13 years now. I started as a salesperson in Darwin, when Harvey Norman first opened in the NT. I was then given the Franchise at Fremantle in WA in 2005. From there, I then went to Lithgow in NSW. In February 2009, I was then given the Electrical Franchise in Armidale and have been here since. Where did you grow up, and what sports were you involved with? I was born in Brisbane, but grew up on a cattle station near Charters Towers in Central Western Queensland, before moving to a property at Yeppoon. After spending 3 years as a paratrooper based in Sydney, I then
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moved back to Rockhampton before moving to Darwin in 1990. I have mainly been involved in Rugby Union as both a player and coach, making various representative teams in both NSW and QLD. The highlight of my playing career would have been making the Australian Army service side in 1986. Some highlights from the coaching side of things would be coaching various junior representative sides, including Central Queensland, Northern Territory and more recently the New England U13s with Will Mazzie. What community organisations are you involved with? As a local business owner, I like to support a several things, mainly junior sports. Since I’ve been in Armidale, I have been involved with junior Rugby League and Rugby Union, both
junior Blues and various ter what your interest is, whether “ Armidale has it is the arts, sport or cultural. New England sides. I am something for everyone, noyour Armidale is also children friendly, currently involved with matter whathether meaning that there is plenty for the senior Blues and also w , is st intere t them to do, with a vast range the UNE Barbarians, as it is the arts, spor or cultural. ” of sports, parks, bike tracks and well as the juniors. I have entertainment. The thing that also been involved with the the family fell in love with was the show, as well as many other colours that appear at certain times of events around the New England the year, mixed with the old buildings that are area. I believe in putting back into the dotted throughout – it’s splendour not to be community as they, the community, support my business. I feel that it’s good to support the missed. There is so much to discover throughout the New England region, with all the Najunior sports, as well as the senior ones. tional Parks and history that the region has, and What do you like most about Armidale? it is only a couple of hours to the coast. When we first arrived in Armidale, I noticed What team did you support in the State of how friendly the people were and how they Origin? went out of their way to help and made us QLD of course, and the Reds in Union. feel welcome, no matter what we were doing. Thanks Scott. Armidale has something for everyone, no mat-