Get to know a Griffith Local - Terry Greedy, Builder

Name: Terry Greedy

Occupation: Builder, local franchisee for Integrity New Homes Griffith

What do you actually do? Supervise mainly. Getting too old for the physical work.

How long have you been in the business? Started out in partnership with Ray Luck in 1972. Have been in building 48 years.

How did you get started? Commenced an apprenticeship with Jim Early in 1966, Jim was a footballer and left town to go back to Melbourne, then transferred to Charlie Warburton, who said I wasn’t cut out to be a builder and put me off. HaHa ! I completed my apprenticeship with Wally Higgins.

If you could go back, what advice would you give to yourself at 18 years old? I would further the management qualifications, as that’s my weakest area in business.

What advice would you give to someone just starting out? Make sure you commit to a career that you love.

How would your friends describe you? Helpful

Tell me about where you grew up and what your family life was like. Grew up in Macarthur Street, in a financially struggling, dysfunctional family. Most of the families in that street were struggling and there was lots of playing in the streets with all the neighbourhood kids. Many good times with them.

Who have been your strongest influences in life? Being readily accepted into my wife’s family and developing a close relationship with my father-in-law, Cec Polkinghorne. Ivor Evans taking me under his wing and joining Rotary.

Is there a charity or cause you prefer to support if/when possible? Cancer foundation because my mother-in-law died of cancer. Country Hope.

What has been the hardest thing for you to learn? I’m not a good communicator, so learning how to communicate has been difficult.

What's your favourite food? Bangers and mash.

Favourite place to holiday? Europe

If you won $10M in the lottery, what would you do? Never buy lottery tickets, so no chance of ever winning.

If you could change one law, what would it be? Stop manufacturing subsidies.

Website: http://www.inh.com.au/Griffith

Terry Greedy working on a new home in Griffith.