As this was Richard Lykke’s first time at the Belgravia Leisure National Conference as an employee of our Tourism division, BelgraviaPRO, we thought we’d get to know him a little better.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your new role as Area Manager overseeing contracts in southern NSW?

After “retiring” from a 35-year career in Adult Education, Commonwealth Government and self-employment in the pub game, I found myself in 2014 looking for something else to do.

One thing led to another, and I found myself managing a caravan park in Eden, on the NSW south coast, for 12 months with my wife, Cath. This led to several similar park management roles over the next couple of years.

Shortly after this, I began my association with PRO Management in 2016 when PRO was contracted to manage several sites in my home area on the Eurobodalla Coast of NSW. This association continued until 2017 and 2018 when the Belgravia Leisure / PRO Management joint venture began.

Since then, I’ve continued overseeing operations in the southern NSW sites and assisted with the integration of the sites into the Belgravia Leisure machine.

What was your favourite part of the National Conference, and why?

As a representative of a new sector in the business, the conference provided a valuable opportunity to gain a clearer understanding of the company. It gave me a better understanding of where Belgravia Leisure has come from, where it’s going, and how BelgraviaPRO fits into all of it.

It was also good to catch up with colleagues from Corporate Services and other areas of the business.

How do you incorporate health and wellness into your lifestyle?

In my twenties and thirties, I was a very committed triathlete. In those days Ironman was held in Forster, NSW, and I was so into the event and the lifestyle surrounding it that we bought a unit overlooking the finish line.

We still own the unit, but Ironman Australia has long since found a new home. These days, fully fitted out with a titanium knee, I have replaced my obsession with triathlon with golf. I try to practise and play as often as possible.

I also surf most days and walk my dog on the beach regularly. I try to maintain a balanced approach to most things in life and focus on keeping everything in perspective.

What’s something you love to do in your spare time?

I enjoy spending time with my mini-labradoodle, Monty. I also feel every tackle and score every try with the mighty South Sydney Rabbitohs as they march towards their next premiership.