Alistair Flower - In the Front Bar

from Greater Port Macquarie Focus - i194

by Focus

Lauren McAllister & Simon Bank - Business Minds

FRONTin the BAR

with ALISTAIR FLOWER

MANAGING DIRECTOR OF FLOWER HOTELS

Ross, introduce yourself to us mate? I’ve been calling Port Macquarie home for the past 18 years. I’m a local business owner and a dad to two teenagers. I grew up on a farm, in the small town of Braidwood down south. I’ve lived in Sydney and even overseas, but nothing beats Port!

You are heavily involved in the local

community, why is it important to you? I’ve always loved the Port Macquarie community, from coaching the kids’ soccer teams (in their younger days) to playing rugby myself for the mighty Vikings. I’m passionate about people and I think community success leads to so much happiness for everyone involved. I also believe it’s important for locally owned businesses to be community minded and get involved where possible, that’s why at Men And Women At Work we strive to support as much as we can.

You mentioned you’re a business owner,

tell us about what you do? I’m the Managing Director of Men And Women At Work, a local Labour Hire and Traffic Management company employing over 200 locals on the Mid North Coast. I started working here 14 years ago, then became General Manager in 2011, and now I’m the owner of the company. I am also the Managing Director of Learning Live, our Registered Training Organisation, where we train over 2500 students every year. Our number MANAGING DIRECTOR OF

MEN AND WOMEN AT WORK

ROSS

C A R G I L L

one goal is to let people achieve and be happy.

Your business has recently undergone a name change, what

sparked this? We wanted our name to be a greater reflection of who we are. Since the beginning, we have always been inclusive. In our business, we have a saying that ‘everyone gets a go’ and we really do live by that. It was only natural to add WOMEN to our business name. It’s a better representation of the team and culture that we have.

You’ve put your hand up to participate in this year’s Hastings Dancing with the Stars,

how are your dancing skills mate? Ahhhh… they are alright! I’m dancing solo, which has never been done before. It’s pretty under wraps, I can’t give too much away!

What was the catalyst for you to dance

for such a great cause? I’ve been asked to participate before and unfortunately I couldn’t

I am also the

Managing Director of commit at that stage, Learning Live, our but now I am all in. I am Registered Training honoured to be given the opportunity to step Organisation, up and support such a where we train wonderful cause. A really over 2500 students good mate of mine has every year. suffered through cancer three times and most people have been touched by cancer at some stage. How will you be fundraising? We are holding a fundraising event at the Fernhill Tavern on 20th May. It’s going to be a cracker of a night. Pete Murray is going to MC the event and we will be holding a huge raffle with some unreal auction prizes up for grabs. Everyone is invited, I’d appreciate all the support I can get!