“DEVELOPING INSIGHTS”
CONVERSATIONS ON SUNSHINE COAST PROPERTY
Continuing our Sunshine Coast-specific series focussing on influential people in our region, we sit down with Billy Moore, Queensland Rugby League legend, business owner and permanent Sunshine Coast resident.
Where did you grow up?
I was born in Tenterfield but lived in Wallangarra, which is 50 metres on the Qld side of the border. I lived there until I was 17 and a half when I went to Sydney to play for North Sydney.
What did your parents do?
Mum was a school teacher and Dad was a labourer. They both worked incredibly hard, and never had any days off work. Unfortunately they both passed away before they got to enjoy their retirement years.
Was your family into property when you were young?
No, they owned their own home and it was their only major asset. My cousins now own that original family house.
When did you start playing footy, and why?
I am the youngest of four boys, so I played my first game for the Wallangarra Bulls at four years old in the U9s. Although I played some footy in Tenterfield, my first senior game was for Warwick against Milmerran.
What was your big break in footy?
I went to an Armidale Sports Camp when I was 15 and came home with a Wayne Pearce Training Program. I trained full on for two years and eventually played for NSW as a 17 year old. At the national carnival I was the only player in our team without a contract going into it, but I came out with four offers (Norths, Penrith, Broncos, Parramatta).
Who was the biggest influence on your footy career?
My mum. While she always supported me, when I received the four offers she said ‘you’re going to the Bears’. It wasn’t until much later that I asked her why, and she said she wasn’t sure how good I was, and that at Norths they would only have ‘one Billy Moore’. It was very good logic!
Who was the best player you played with / against / saw?
Allan Langer, Laurie Daley, Wally Lewis.
Who was your funniest teammate?
Allan Langer (and his older brother Kevin is also a classic comedian).
What’s the worst placed you have lived and why?
None really. I have only lived in Wallangarra, the lower north shore of Sydney and the Sunshine Coast. All are great!
Where is the best placed you have lived and why?
The Sunshine Coast. The quality of life up here is amazing. We only have about 20 days every year where it is too hold or too cold, and even those are great because they offer something different! That leaves 345 days of perfection.
Tell us about your working life these days.
My role as co-owner of Augello’s at Mooloolaba is the ‘centre of the wheel’. I love it, and spend about 35 hours per week there. I also work for Fox Sports about 30 weeks of the year, and ABC Radio for Broncos home games. Finally, I am increasingly doing more ambassadorial work and corporate speaking events (about 50 per annum). I’m really busy, but love it.
What’s your personal investment strategy?
To develop a passive income stream so my quality of life doesn’t change in later years. We’re trying that with residential and commercial property, and businesses.
Where was your first property?
A three bed semi in Crows Nest in Sydney. I bought it when I was 21 years old and held it for 21 years.
What is the best financial lesson you have learnt?
Kerry Packer always said, ‘become a great accumulator – buy and hold’. And he also said if the assets you hold aren’t attractive to you, they won’t be to others.
What would you change about the Sunshine Coast?
I would love to fast track infrastructure here and take a 50 year view. We need a quantum leap.
What do you think of the Sunshine Coast’s economic prospects?
Very strong. I think it will be a very hot market for several years to come.
In many ways the Coast is undervalued / underappreciated, and gets lost in the noise of SE Qld. The quality of life here is incredible, with property and businesses representing great value for money.
Our only weaknesses are infrastructure, but in the next five years we will get a new airport, better roads, better rail and many more modern services and attractions.
What is your favourite place on the Coast?
The beach at Alexandra Headland, where I live.
Who will win Game 3 of Origin 2017 and why?
Queensland! As great as Thurston is, and he will be missed, we are bigger than one man.
Where is the strangest place you have heard the ‘Queenslander’ call?
My wife and I were sightseeing in the Colosseum in Rome when we heard the call. We both laughed. There is no escaping it.
June 2017