meet Robert

HESTA member, Robert, shares his experiences throughout his working life, and his journey to where he is today. Here’s his story.

“I was born in the 1950s in Swansea, Wales, UK. After high school I joined the Royal Navy at just 15 and a half years of age as a Junior Seaman.

After a trial period, I purchased out of the Royal Navy and signed up for the Merchant Navy, circumnavigating the globe on my first trip at sea.

After spending three years at sea, I emigrated to South Africa. Based in Cape Town, my first job was as a sales representative and I’ve worked in sales ever since. My specialty is within the chemical industry and I was employed in numerous managerial roles leading to becoming Sales Director for the last 10 years of my career.

In 1994, after 22 years living in South Africa, I returned to the UK only to emigrate to Australia that very year. The reason to relocate was the excellent work opportunities, attractive climate and safe environment that Australia offered. I met my lovely wife Maria and married in 2003. I continued working in the chemical sector in Australia and eventually established my own business in 2006 importing and distributing bulk oils and chemicals supplying industry throughout Australia.

Having my own business in Australia meant that I was responsible for choosing my own super fund. One of the best financial decisions we’ve made was to switch my super over to HESTA in 2017. This decision was motivated by my wife Maria, who had been with HESTA for many years. Her super was consistently outperforming my super each year!

I sold my company in 2018 and it was then that we commenced our HESTA Income Streams.

We made the decision to commence an income stream after meeting with our HESTA Financial Planner, Daniel Callaghan.

Daniel was instrumental in setting up our income streams and we’ve recently visited him again for a financial review.

The financial information and guidance provided by Daniel, has been invaluable and I would have no hesitation in recommending anyone who is nearing retirement to seek financial expertise from HESTA.

We’re extremely happy and comfortable with our HESTA Income Streams moving forward and look forward to the future with great optimism!”