introducing
words | Frankie Hatton
Agent Sammy
Gibraltar has a reputation for producing interesting and diverse characters, none more so than Sammy Cruz-Armstrong who combines adventure, culture, travel and passion for work across the globe. She has bought an innovative and refreshing approach to real estate in Gibraltar with an infectious enthusiasm and incredible work ethic together with a no bull attitude. 44
Born and raised in Gibraltar, Sammy was schooled at the Loreto Convent up to the age of 12, before completing her studies at the Newhall School, the oldest Roman Catholic School in the UK. After a collection of good ‘O’ levels and 3 ‘A’ levels in Spanish, Business Studies and the History of Art she secured a place at Bristol University to study Spanish and Law. The premature loss of her father some years earlier made the discussion with her mother to defer university for a full academic year slightly more anxious, but Sammy’s ambitious and adventurous flair overcame the practical promise of a three year degree Like most Gibraltarians, Sammy had a good network of family and friends with whom she kept in regular contact. A chance meeting with an old Gibraltarian family opened the way to a move to Madrid. With a good job in place, this is where Sammy’s passion for art and property merged. Most young women would settle for this, but not Sammy; the ‘walkabout’ bug was about to begin. Another anxious discussion with her mother followed, Australia with a friend who had a brother in Sydney, or Mexico? Sammy reflects on the conversation; “To be honest I would dread having that kind of discussion with my two boys Nick and Harvey (19 and 18 years old) — it’s funny how we apply different standards to our own children, but we all do it — my poor mother!” Sammy arrived in Sydney on a six month tourist visa, and within three weeks she had met a man and although wasn’t aware of it at the time they would be married several years later. At the end of her visa she realised she had totally fallen for Oz. “I am proudly Gibraltarian, and there really is no place like home, but I just loved Australia and the people, what could I do! I was going to return to Sydney, as soon as possible.” Back in London she put her secretarial skills to use, saved her money and pestered Australia House in Aldwych on a regular basis Again hard work and determination paid off. The application for the visa status was approved, and back to Oz it was. Sammy slotted straight back into Sydney life, reuniting with a good group of friends. Hard work, both professionally and academically, ensured her place on a prestigious interior design course at the Mary Nielsson School of
GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER 2013