Get To Know Our Chapter Treasurer!

In this first edition of the 2023 SA/NT eNEWS, we put our Chapter Treasurer in the spotlight!

Paul Bailey, Chapter Treasurer

Development Enterprise and Foundation Manager, St Philip’s College, NT

1.Tell us something that might surprise us about you:  

I am doing a course at CDU in Fine Arts. So far I have done Drawing and Painting, Screen Printing and I am now doing my next subject in Printmaking. I am treating it like the Monkey and Typewriter Approach. The more artworks I produce the more chance that one piece may be suitable for Display. Seriously, I never did any art until I turned 50 and the only painting I had done was on houses! However, I enjoy studying it and attempting it. In all reality I may become qualified but never displayed.

2. What lead you to your present role? What is your favourite aspect?

My previous jobs have all been involved with major hospitality venues such as casinos and major clubs. However, when I received an offer to run 7 major hospitality venues in the Southeast Corner of QLD I went to my wife to inform her of the news. The conversation went something like this “Pick anywhere you want to live darling? From the Gold Cost to the Sunshine Coast, to west to Toowoomba! We are out of here … Beaches, Beaches, Beaches with water, not like the sand out here in the desert.” She replied “But Paul, I like living in Alice Springs and teaching at St Philip’s and I am not going to move.” … hence I stayed and took over the retiring Philanthropy Manager in a couple of weeks.

3. How long have you been a member of EP?

Within two weeks of taking on the position … So, nearly 6 years.

4. What has being a member of EP done to help your career development?

Coming from a different industry altogether, I was lost. I remember at my first SA/NT Chapter conference going and catching up with the then CEO of Adelaide Casino and the CEO’s of two major hospitality groups after the first day of the Conference. All three were going “this is not you Bails”. We can help you with this “Mid Life Crisis” – “Mate you should come and work with us”.  Anyway the next day I really got on with the SA/NT Chapter, and I enjoyed their presentations on how good and rewarding it was to work in the NFP Sector. Then I did the Advancement Practitioner Training in Brisbane and I really enjoyed the passion and vision that the attendees and presenters showed and enthused. At the completion of the course, I was “invested”. I am a firm believer that whatever you try to do in life, be invested to the core. The one thing EP does well is band together a series of like-minded people who go about doing good in the community. It is very welcoming to be encouraged, assisted and supported. Plus, the feeling of doing good things and assisting in creating futures for the community is euphoric. Very different from the corporate world of international, national boards and corporations wanting their provide margin increased.

5. Who would you like to have lunch with and where?

WOW look at the size of me … I will lunch with anyone! Feel free to contact me and Sir Lunchalot is on. These holidays, we as a family had some head liners at McLaren Vale. My children and their partners enjoyed the search for Bazzies Local. The rules are it has to be 20 minutes from our Holiday House and must be in close proximity to other establishments. I love lunch … in fact I love the progressive lunch – Aperitif here, Entree there, Lunch here, Dessert everywhere and finish at the beach for a sunset viewing. So, contact me if you want to join us, the more the merrier! Make sure you bring your best smile. My family will crack you up. Mostly at my expense (monetary and daggy dad style).

6. Favourite food and why?

All of the Bailey Family enjoy cooking. So whether it is son Jake’s Exploding Squid, daughter Kasey’s Vietnamese Spring Rolls, or Tammy’s Mother’s Spaghetti, it’s all good. Cookie Monster goooooood!

7. Where is your favourite travel location and why?

I’ve been around the world a couple of times or maybe more. I’ve seen the sights, I’ve had delights, on every foreign shore. But when me mates all ask me the place that I adore, … I tell them right away: Myponga!

8. What does success look like to you?

Happiness. Deep gratitude and heartfelt laughter and smiles.

9. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

I have really been impressed by the Jordan Davis song, Buy Dirt. Tears well up in my eyes every time I hear it played, especially around family. So Molly yourself – “Do yourself a favour” and download it. Here is one of the verses:  

‘Find the one you can’t live without
Get a ring, let your knee hit the ground
Do what you love but call it work
And throw a little money in the plate at church
Send your prayers up and your roots down deep
Add a few limbs to your family tree
And watch their pencil marks
And the grass in the yard all grow up.’

10. When you die, what do you want to be remembered for?

The odds of being born are equal to 1 in 102,685,000. The chances are so low that it is effectively zero. So on my headstone “Here lies Paul Bailey – one who defied the odds and he did it laughing”.

Boarding Recruitment Drive! (COVID Checkpoint – Simpson Desert)	Family Lunches