Local Bloke – Greg bishop from Bondi

By Dan Hutton on May 10, 2016 in People

When Bondi local Greg Bishop isn’t saving backpackers from treacherous rips, removing cats from trees or pulling fair maidens from burning buildings, he’s finding home buyers and owners the best rates for their mortgages. The man better known as ‘Bisho’ shares his local favourites with The Beast…

How long have you lived here?
I’ve never lived anywhere other than Bondi. My biggest move has been from North Bondi to South Bondi where I now live, and even that was hard to handle!

What’s your favourite beach?
North Bondi in a north-east wind, South Bondi at 3-4 foot on a high tide when it’s overcast so there’s no one around, Mackenzies on a low tide when there’s sand there, and Tama when it’s flat with a low tide and no board riders.

What’s your favourite eatery?
The Nine for breakfast, Shuk for lunch and Mum’s place for dinner.

Where do you like to have a drink?
Panama House, Tin Pin Bakery or Birichina for coffee.

Do you have a favourite sporting team?
Being born and bred Bondi, I can’t not love my Roosters!

What music are you into at the moment?
I’m pretty diverse with my music. I like my R&B, hip hop, and after years in the lifeguard tower with old H-Man, I even like a little jazz too.

Who is your favourite person?
My girlfriend Vanessa is pretty damn good; she must be to put up with me.

What do you get up to on the weekends?
They’re usually spent at the beach one way or another. If I’m not working there as a lifeguard or surfing, I am running the soft sand at Bondi or swimming around at Mackenzies with Vanessa.

What do you do for work?
I am mortgage broking from Monday to Friday for a company called Shore Financial. I’ve also been working casually as a lifeguard down at Bondi for 16 years now, and I am also a fire fighter at the Bondi station.

What’s your favourite thing about work?
I’ve invested in property over the last 20 years. Mortgage broking allows me to help people buy property, which is really rewarding. I enjoy helping the community too, whether it is getting a backpacker out of a rip on the beach, or a pulling someone out of a burning building.

Do you have a favourite quote?
“To err is human, but to forgive is divine.” I’m not sure who said that first – ha ha!

Any other words of wisdom for readers of The Beast?
Never be afraid to try something different; it’s healthy to get out of your comfort zone every now and then.