You won’t find too many people who are more passionate about their job than Patrick Avery.
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Chatting to the Magnet at his gym, the Eden Gym & Squash owner and personal trainer’s eyes light up as he explains his approach to business - an approach that has seen him nominated for 'best customer service by an individual', for the 2014 Excellence in Eden Business Awards.
The man known to many as ‘Patty’ is no ordinary business owner – for him, this line of work is about much more.
“Customer service is very important, but to me, the big thing is the ability to build a strong rapport with customers and to see their goals and targets met,” he said.
“Customer service is ongoing, particularly in my industry – it’s not just a brief thing that happens over the counter.
“Having people look forward to each visit is a great motivation for me – 80 per cent of what I do is about encouraging people to come here and make them feel comfortable.
“It’s the most uplifting thing to see someone realise that they can be the person they want to be – you see that flame being lit and it’s just wonderful motivation for me.”
Patrick has been in Eden for five years, having come to the town via Hamilton Island and a 20-year stint in Brisbane.
He also works as a personal trainer, and says Eden has come a long way since 2009.
“When I got here, quite a few people weren’t sure what a personal trainer was, or what a personal trainer could do for them,” he said.
“But once people worked out my intention to try and improve the health and fitness of the town, I’ve been pretty well accepted.
“We have a terrible obesity rate in Australia, so for me it’s not about money.
“I’m a health and fitness professional, and I think that to call yourself that, your motivation has to be getting people up and moving.”
Patrick’s reach extends far beyond the variety of workout activities and squash competitions on offer in his gym.
He organises the annual fun run for cancer, helps physiotherapy patients with their rehabilitation, and works with the local schools and Campbell Page to improve young peoples’ health and fitness.
Until the South East Women and Children’s Services (SEWACS) disbanded in Eden, he also offered his gym to at-risk women, free of charge.
“I do put in a fair bit of time without asking for any money – I think if I didn’t do that I wouldn’t be a health and fitness professional,” he said.
“People sometimes look at me and say, ‘Patty, you’re crazy – you’re never going to make any money.
“But for me, it’s not about money – if I get more people up and moving, I’m sure I will make more money, but I don’t care if they don’t come to the gym, just as long as they’re being healthy and active in some way.”
Nominations for all six categories close on Monday, November 17 at 5pm, ahead of the black tie gala presentation night at Jigamy Farm on Saturday, December 6.
Download a nomination form by clicking here, or pick one up from the Magnet office or a local business.
All forms must be returned to the Magnet prior to the closing date.
- Browns Butchery
- Eden Gas & Gear
- SPROUT Eden
- Hair Lamartine
- Roswitha’s Deli
- S2 Café
- Golden Ocean Chinese Restaurant
- Eden IGA
- Pacific Furniture
- Australia Post, Eden
- Georgie’s Fine Jewellery, Eden
- Cuppaz
- Sapphire Marine
- Sweets Shoes and Handbags
- Craig Allen (Tribal Suzani)
- Leon Rombouts (Browns Butchery)
- Roxylee McDonald (Wharfside Café)
- Steve Hicks (Eden Library)
- Farran Shepheard (Wharfside Café)
- Maree Smith (Rob Webb Surveying)
- Regina Swane (Twofold Travel)
- Patrick Avery (Eden Gym & Fitness)
- Amy Holt (Eden Spa and Beauty)
- Molly Davidson (Cuppaz)
- Amber Seckold (IGA Eden)
- Michelle Mam (S2 Café)
- Con Castrissios (IGA Eden)
- Molly Woodstock (Eden Spa and Beauty)
- Bronwyn Schmich (Hair Lamartine)
- Georgie Staley (Georgie’s Fine Jewellery)
- Genevieve McGuinness (Georgie’s Fine Jewellery)
- Sharon Spink (Eden CBA)
- Shannon Woloshyn (Eden Visitor Information Centre)
- Rachael Bell (IGA Eden)
- Kerrie Chester (IGA Eden)
- Chris Ceder (IGA Eden)
- Anne Wilcox (IGA Eden)
- High Time Tree Services
- Kade Ritchie (Gippsland Tyres)
- Ben Boyd Service Station
- Eden Child Care Service
- Casey Rodgers (Eden Child Care)
- Eden Plaster Linings
- Siobhan Russell (Hair Lamartine)
- Service Department, Ron Doyle Motors
- Eden Tree Cutters
- Hair Lamartine
- Acora Reneco
- Bobby Maher (Fraser Marine)
- Kayla Denham (Hair Lamartine)
- Cat Balou Cruises
- Eden Killer Whale Museum
- Eden Visitor Information Centre
- Daphne Lister (Art on Imlay)
- Valma Barber (various community organisations)
- Eden Access Centre
- Deb Richardson (president, 2014 Eden Whale Festival Committee)
- Gail Ward (Cruise Eden)
- The Warrens Walk team of volunteer gardeners: Celia Hannan, Glenda Wood and Marianne Kramp
- Jack Dickenson (Eden Killer Whale Museum), Essci, Eden Men's Shed
- Jenny Drenkhahn (Eden Killer Whale Museum, Marine Rescue Eden, Art on Imlay)
- Nev Cowgill (1st Eden Sea Scouts, Marine Rescue Eden, Essci)
- Eden Killer Whale Museum
- Steve Mahoney (Eden RSL)