FROM humble beginnings to a roaring success, Paul Maher has experienced more in his personal and professional life than most, and says he owes it all to his family, friends and his community.
Mr Maher, owner of Loxley on Bellbird Hill, recently received the Businessperson of the Year award at the Hawkesbury Business Awards night in Windsor, and reflected on the journey that has seen him rise and fall dramatically.
Mr Maher was born on to a farm in the small Riverina town of Rankin Springs near Griffith before his family later moved to Northmead in Sydney so he and his three sisters could have a private education.
He went on to become an Oakhill College Alumni later in life, and as a boy he loved his school in Castle Hill, where he met friends he still sees today.
Mr Maher left Oakhill in Year 10 and moved straight into a position with AMP Society in the city, where he spent the next few years honing his skills and experience before leaving at the age of just 20 to work for himself.
Noticing the financial issues faced by the post-war baby boomers at that time, Mr Maher believed he had the knowledge to educate people on savings and superannuation, and so began his business Amp West.
“It was the 60s at the time and I knew that by the new millennium there would be a lot of us leaving the workforce and I felt I could educate these people on how to save for their retirement,” Mr Maher said.
“There really wasn’t such a thing as superannuation back then ... I would tell people that with each pay check, plan for the next one.”
For the next 27 years Mr Maher built the business up, employed 40 people and made it one of the leading financial services in Sydney before his personal life came crashing down.
Mr Maher’s marriage at the time fell apart and faced with the stress of a divorce and taking care of his three young sons aged nine, seven and five, he quickly fell into depression.
“I had what they call a mid life crisis,” Mr Maher said.
“I sold my business and moved to Bathurst to become a cowboy.”
In a bid to figure out his life and plan for his future, Mr Maher spent his weekdays raising cattle in Bathurst and weekends in Sydney with his sons for two years.
He said the experience gave him time to reflect on the challenges his family had faced and the adversity they overcame in their own lives.
He thought about his grandparents who tragically lost three of their children, Mr Maher’s Uncle Jack who died falling off his horse, Uncle Ted who died fighting in World War II and his Aunt Phyl who died from pneumonia shortly after having a baby.
“They had to bury three of their children and raise their grandchild ... you just can’t imagine what that would be like,” Mr Maher said.
“They also worked incredibly hard to provide for their family, no matter what faced them.
“I realised I needed to get home, I needed to be a role model for my boys.”
Upon returning back to Sydney Mr Maher bought what was the Eco Cafe on Bellbird Hill, and built it up and transformed it into a thriving small business.
It was the property across the road from Eco that Mr Maher had his sights set on however: Loxley.
“I bought Loxley the day it came on the market,” Mr Maher said.
“It’s a beautiful property which dates back to 1830, and it has one of the oldest land grants in Australia.’’
Mr Maher has owned Loxley on Bellbird Hill for nearly 20 years and in that time has built it up to be one of the Hawkesbury most successful event locations, particularly for weddings.
The boutique accommodation and restaurant on site is also a major drawcard for customers.
“It has been a fantastic journey and I have been lucky enough to have worked with some amazing people.
“The business continues to grow and I can’t tell you how proud I am of our team.”
Mr Maher said he was honoured to have received the business person of the year award at the recent Hawkesbury Business awards.
It wasn’t the only accolade that went his way that night, with Loxley also picking up the award for most outstanding accommodation.
“I was very honoured to have been acknowledged in my own community,” Mr Maher said.
“I have received awards in Parramatta and the Hills, but to take out an award like that in the Hawkesbury was fantastic. I was very humbled.”
Moving forward Mr Maher hopes to work more closely with Tourism and Accommodation Australia (TAA) in promoting tourism in other places outside of immediate city sights.
He sees his involvement with TAA as a way of giving back to an industry that has given him so much over the years.
