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For most of us, three into one doesn’t go. However, for Greg Moffitt it does. Greg is one tradesperson, who is about to hold
three trade licences. He is a licensed floor and wall tiler; a licensed carpenter; and soon to be builder. How does he keep
motivated to add to his skills – and how does he balance this with family?
Greg has been self-employed for 14 years, during which time he has built a reputation for producing quality work with a reliable
and friendly service. Greg’s reputation precedes him and word-of-mouth has meant that he has never needed to advertise.
Greg completed his floor and wall tiling apprenticeship in 1993 and spent ten years tiling for both the domestic and commercial
markets - including bathroom renovations for Harvey Norman.
As part of the bathroom business, Greg worked with a builder and often assisted him on-site with other aspects of the job,
including carpentry and construction. The appeal of working with timber and building rang true with Greg, even when he was laying
tiles.
Greg frequently worked with his father, a builder, and became more adept at working with timber. After learning more about the
building trade, Greg realised that if he had the requisite skills and licences, he could provide a complete service to his
customers and perform all the works required on certain jobs.
The timing to start an apprenticeship as a carpenter for Greg and his father proved to be perfect, as Greg’s father needed
another pair of hands for the workload he had, and who also had experience working on building sites.
Greg’s father is an award-winning builder in his own right and Greg knew that serving his apprenticeship with his father meant he
would receive the best possible training and coaching. They also shared the same drive of pursuing perfection in their work.
However, starting an apprenticeship wasn’t without its difficulties. To say that working 6 days a week, attending TAFE one day
and three nights a week, with a young family, and forgoing a slight drop in income was a struggle, is an understatement. However
the challenge that Greg and his family took on proved rewarding, with Greg finishing Dux of his class and being given the
opportunity to help build new homes of over $1 million.
Despite his work and study commitments, Greg is determined to strike a work/life balance. Family time is Saturday nights, either
going out to dinner or visiting friends. Sunday mornings bring valuable time with the kids, mostly at home.
Greg attributes much of his drive in providing for his family to his own father and grandfather. He has watched and worked with
his father and seen first hand the success he has had. Greg draws inspiration from his grandfather, a very successful man in his
own right, who owned shares and many properties in the Shire, which included President Private Hospital, before selling to
doctors.
Having lived in the Shire all his life, and his “Pop” having had so much success living and working in the area, Greg also sees
it as a great place to live and prosper. He has many ideas on how he would like to see the Shire and local businesses develop
together, such as introducing product updates for specialised building advances in technology at trade shows.
Living by the saying, “nobody on their death bed has said they wished they had spent more time in the office,” Greg and his
family take at least one family holiday a year together, which also ensures that Greg is not all work and no play.
For the rest of 2007, Greg will be either working or studying at TAFE, which means his passions for golf, squash, snow skiing and
horse riding, will have to be put on hold until Christmas.
Dean loves living in the Sutherland Shire. In fact he was born, raised and schooled in the Shire and currently lives with his
young family at Engadine. In his younger days he was an accomplished sportsperson and is still actively involved in local amateur
sports administration. Dean operates his own business in the area and is keen to support and promote the wider community in any
way he can with his new role. | 
