Gunnedah man Geoff Dawson is celebrating 40 years in agri-business with National Australia Bank (NAB).
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Mr Dawson and his wife Belinda have lived in Gunnedah for more than 17 years now but have touched down in many townships in between.
Born in Quirindi, Mr Dawson spent his last four years of high school in Coonabarabran and when he finished Year 12, applied for jobs with a number of banks.
“I always thought I’d probably end up with an office job of some description and I think it was just a natural thing at this stage,” he said.
“I got accepted into a few banks but I chose the CBC [Commercial Banking Company of Sydney].
“Do you know what I reckon got me the job? It’s the comment that I get on with a lot of people.”
After nine months in Coonabarabran, Mr Dawson did relief work around Newcastle, Wollongong and Coonamble. Along the way he met and married Belinda and in the 13 years preceding their move to Gunnedah, they lived in Armidale, Singleton, Sydney, Murrurundi, Nyngan, Walgett, Walcha and Parkes. In the 1980s, the CBC and the National Commercial Banking Corporation of Australia Limited merged to form NAB.
“When I first joined the bank, I’d get a phone call – “Geoff, you’re going to be in Walcha in a month”,” he said.
“It doesn't work like that now.”
Mr Dawson said “all of it’s been good”.
“Because you move around a bit, you’re changing your environment and your job.”
When the Dawsons were moved to Gunnedah, Mr Dawson said he was hoping they could stay around and that’s just what happened.
Day-to-day, Mr Dawson spends a fair bit of time in the Gunnedah NAB office but also hits the road to “look after farmers”.
“Most people are interested to show their farms. They’re proud of their operations,” he said.
“That’s probably the best part of the job.”
When he’s not working, Mr Dawson can be found on his farm with his beloved Texas Longhorn cattle. The local has been breeding longhorns since 1987 and founded Texas Longhorn Australia. He recently received life membership.
The Dawsons have raised their children Jack and Molly in Gunnedah and have “no plans of going anywhere”.
