In the 1700s Benjamin Franklin said if you want something done, ask a busy person.
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The new chair of the Bathurst Business Chamber Stacey Whittaker is the embodiment of that philosophy.
Stacey is a sixth generation Bathurstian who absolutely loves the city, and loves being involved with as many groups and organisations as she can.
She runs a successful real estate firm with her husband Michael, while raising two girls Matilda, 12, and Charlotte, 10.
However, she said she couldn’t do nearly as much if it wasn’t for her parents Sue and Geoff Parkes, who are a tremendous help with the kids.
Stacey is vice president of the whole school P & F at All Saints’ College and was president of the Junior School P & F for three years. She is on the Bathurst Tidy Towns Committee, is founder of the Bathurst Women’s Network, is on the Welcome Wagon Committee and is the Chamber representative on the Bathurst 200 Committee.
“I’m super passionate about Bathurst,” she said. “I would like to see it remain a good place for my children to live.
“I want to ensure they have every opportunity to stay in Bathurst.”
Stacey said she is Bathurst born and bred. She began her schooling at Raglan Public School, then went to Bathurst Public School and attended Kelso High School.
Her first job was with Alan Morse and Co as a file clerk. She then moved to Geoff Finall and David Weekes’ accounting firm as a book keeper. After that Stacey joined Bathurst Security in the accounts department.
However, she felt she really wanted to be a nurse, so she began studying before going to work at Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney.
“I came back to Bathurst to work at St Vincent’s Hospital for two years before marrying real estate royalty,” she joked.
Husband Mick was working for Peter Rogers Real Estate when they met.
Stacey studied to get her real estate licence and then the couple bought into the business when Charlotte was born.
They bought the remainder of the business in 2007 and changed the name to Bathurst Real Estate.
Mick manages the sales and Stacey oversees the office as well as property management.
“It’s a bit different to nursing,” she said.
“But I’m still dealing with people which I really enjoy.
“I do have to do a bit of juggling, but my children are very understanding, although they do grizzle now and then when we talk too much business at home.”
She said she was really enjoying her role as president of the Bathurst Business Chamber, although it was a bit daunting following in Angus Edwards’ footsteps.
“I try to get out and talk to as many businesses as I can,” she said. “Having a business chamber is important, especially for a regional city.
“I’m learning a lot. For instance, I didn’t know there were parts of Bathurst with no internet or are still on dial-up internet.
“That just does my head in.”
Stacey recently won a number of prestigious awards.
She won the Women Outwest Award for integrated family business and the award for the most outstanding woman in the Central West region.
“This was a big honour. I was very surprised,” she said.
“I was also a finalist in the business leadership category.”
Stacey has also been awarded the Tony Greig Community Service Award by the Real Estate Institute.
However, perhaps one of the most surprising things about Stacey is her love affair with her AC Cobra reproduction.
She said people would often see her driving around town in the little two-seater with either a child or Mick riding shotgun.
“It’s my little piece of heaven,” she said.
“I’ve always wanted one since I first saw one in a Shell ad many years ago.
“I thought one day I’m going to have one of those.”
Stacey said she was probably the youngest member of the Cobra Club NSW, although she admits she drives like a little old nanna.