Local Chick… Gloria Hawke

By James Hutton on October 8, 2013 in People

Photo: Grant Brooks

How long have you lived here?
About six and a half years; first in South Maroubra for a couple of years and now North Maroubra. Hopefully we’ll stay in the east for life.

What’s your favourite beach?
North Maroubra; not only is it right on our doorstep, it really is my favourite beach. It’s rarely crowded, the water is pristine and you never know what it will be like.

What’s your favourite eatery?
I’m sushi-mad so we often have a meal at Sushi 07 at Eastgardens; it’s very fresh and reasonably priced. Myoko in Bondi is good too. We had lunch at The North End on the weekend and it was delicious. Kamilla Johns Real Food in Maroubra prepares great meals for those times when I don’t get around to cooking.

Where do you like to have a drink?
If I don’t want to go far from home then Oceans Bar at Coogee. If I’m feeling exotic, the unusual cocktails at Li’l Darlin in Randwick at The Spot are worth a go.

Do you have a favourite sporting team?
I have to confess a soft spot for the Dragons as I grew up in Peakhurst and my great uncle Johnny Hawke was the captain of St George. He won a premiership in 1949 and represented Australia against France – I reckon that’s a pretty good excuse.

Who is your favourite person?
Perhaps it’s not politically correct as I have two small children I adore, but my favourite big person is my husband Stu. He is my best friend and has been my biggest supporter when I was starting my own mediation business with Saranne. I also admire the way he gets up at 4.45am several times a week to train on the surf ski before coming home to help me get the kids ready and then heading off to work a ten hour day in the city.

What music are you into at the moment?
I’d like to name an indie band you’ve never heard of but my taste is pretty maintstream – Rhianna, Pink, Adele… My all time favourite is Bic Runga, an NZ singer/ songwriter. I once did a Byron road trip just to see her; she’s soulful with a beautiful, fragile voice and I love the lyrics of her songs.

What do you get up to on the weekends?
In summer I’ll be at the beach for as long as possible. When I need a change of scenery from Maroubra I take the kids to Little Bay or La Perouse for a dip. I have two and five year-old boys so we try to do something that gets them out and about each weekend; usually some type of park is involved and their favourite is the bike park at Heffron with all the traffic lights and bridges.

What do you do for work?
My business partner Saranne (also a Maroubra local) and I have started a mediation firm in the east. We are mediators and nationally accredited family dispute resolution practitioners. In short, we help separating couples work out their parenting arrangements and financial settlements to avoid going to court. We also provide workplace mediation to corporates, government agencies or small businesses. You can go to www.hawkesegalmediation.com.au or www.facebook.com/HawkeSegal-Mediation.

What’s your favourite thing about work?
Mediation helps people selfdetermine their separated future. Together, we plan a way forward that will meet most of their needs, for a lower cost and requiring less involvement of the courts. For separating couples with children, we are trying to achieve outcomes that are in the children’s best interests, as guided by the people who know their needs best – their parents.

Do you have a favourite quote?
“Of all the people you will know in a lifetime, you are the only one you will never leave nor lose” and “To the question of your life, you are the only answer. To the problems in your life, you are the only solution” – Jo Coudert.

Any other words of wisdom for readers of The Beast?
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