Where Are They Now – Andrew Locke

The College reconnects with Andrew Locke (SPC 1985-88) who is forming a successful career in insurance.

 

Where has life taken you since leaving SPC?

 

While doing Year 12 in 1988 I wanted to study property and become a valuer.- I secured a traineeship at Hayden Real Estate which I thought would be a good balance in terms of working towards my goal while earning a wage at the same time.- One of my roles was to support the business’ insurance agency and my career in insurance was born.

After 18 months at Haydens I joined Marks & Madden Insurance Agencies in Ballarat before I left in 1995 to spend two years overseas.-

In 1997 I returned to a job with QBE in Bendigo, before getting married to Sally, relocating to Torquay and gaining a promotion with QBE to Business Manager in Geelong.

In 2000 I was approached by Verrell Insurance Brokers and became a partner in 2002, and appointed Managing Director in 2005. The business has evolved to become Adroit Insurance Group and has experienced healthy growth that has seen it grow from one location and a team of 10, to 10 offices across Victoria and a team of more than 110.

Sally and I have lived in Torquay since 1999 where our three kids have been raised (sons Fraser 15, Hunter 13 and daughter Remy 11) and have no plans to move anywhere else.

 

What are your favourite memories of your time at St Patrick’s College?

One of my most vivid was arriving for the first day having not set foot in the school previously. Fresh from Deniliquin High School following a move to Ballarat over the holidays I walked the famous corridors of St Pat’s for the first time barely knowing a soul.

My time with the 1^st XI certainly brings back fond memories, knocking off school early on a Friday afternoon before buttering up again for most of the following day – the bus trips to Monivae College and Westbourne Grammar, the camaraderie with your teammates, great times.

 

Which teacher from your time at SPC had the greatest impact on you? Why?

Br Zoch was my homeroom teacher when I arrived and not only did I think he was a super teacher, I also thought that he was looking out for me given I arrived mid-year.

Tony Martino was my 1st XI cricket coach and he made a great impression.

I also responded to Peter Farley’s hard but fair teaching.

 

How has your education shaped your professional life?

The strong sense of community and belonging that was apparent at St Pat’s when I was there is still obvious many years later -“ I regularly get approached by people I went to school with.

I was lucky enough to be elected as a member of the Student Council and 1^st XI Captain which set me on a path of leadership.

 

How has your time at SPC shaped your personal values and your family life?

It certainly created resilience.

I think I have an appetite for being involved in networks and creating opportunities to meet people and I think the diverse nature of St Pat’s was an influence on that.

I think my time at St Pat’s also instilled in me the value of effort and working hard.

Most importantly are the relationships I developed while at St Pat’s and some that I have developed since with former SPC students.

 

If you could pass on one message to the students of today, what would it be?

The harder you work the luckier you get.