eKourier April 2019

WHO’S WHO

10 QUESTIONS... With Glen D’Souza - Centre Manager North Lakes, QLD

Tell us about your favourite holiday – where did you go? I love travel and have visited a few countries so far but not enough for me to sit back and say I’ve done it all. Last year we visited Vegas and threw in a Helicopter ride into the Grand Canyon. This has to be the best trip we’ve had. The glitz and glamour of Vegas was everything we had heard and read about. It’s not often we return to visit the same place but we could do with another visit to Vegas to take in what we missed the first time. To sum up Kennards in one word would be? FAMILY! The past 11 years have gone quick and I have enjoyed every bit of my time with KSS. Not often are you privileged to find yourself in a workplace where there is so much trust. The ability to make decisions and take ownership of my centre makes coming to work all that more nicer. To me KSS has not been just a workplace but a place to do more than just the day to day running of a centre. It has helped me grow both person- ally and professionally, which gives me a great sense of fulfilment and accomplishment. The support I have received over the years has been phenomenal. Having moved countries to settle down in Australia, I could not have asked for more.

How many years have you been part of the KSS Team? I am into my 12th year with KSS. Do you recall your first impressions of KSS? I was intrigued by the set up and did not realise that storage was much more than three walls and a door. Having used storage eight years prior to joining KSS I did not know what to expect, given I did not have a very good storage experience then. Before KSS what did you do? I worked at a Service Station and Red Rooster for a couple of years prior to joining KSS. Before that I had a 13 year stint in journalism in print media and television. This role started in India and took me to the United Arab Emirates, where I spent six years. I enjoyed the adrenaline rush the role brought along, all the time being on the ground reporting on events or meeting people. How many centres have you worked at? I’ve worked at Chermside, Virginia and North Lakes and a mini stint at Newstead. Outside of Kennards what keeps you busy, what hobbies do you have? With two teenage children at home, there is not much spare time shuttling between The family enjoying a day out at Disneyland

school and extracurricular activities they do. I love going for long drives when time permits or having a BBQ along a waterfront. Tell us about your family? We are a four member household. I’ve been married to Kerry for 19 years and she keeps the wheels spinning at home juggling full time work and kids. Elijah is 14 and is in Grade nine and has recently picked up a part time job, which means I don’t have to worry too much about pocket money for the moment. Mackayla came into our care five years back and will stay till she is ready to organise her own life in the big world. What is your favourite meal to cook with your family? I am still learning the finer nuances of cooking a good BBQ. Other than that, I can prepare a few Goan curries. The kids don’t whinge too much to eat what I cook, so must be doing alright on that front. Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time? 10 years is a long time given that I was not sure of lasting for that amount of time when I first joined KSS. However, I would like to see myself on a beach in Goa (a little state on the west coast of India) sipping Feni (the locally brewed alcohol made from the cashew fruit). Time to wake up I guess!

Elijah cruising the Colarado River in the Grand Canyon, USA.

3 Kennards Kourier April 2019